Aston Villa secured their first point of the Premier League season with a goalless draw against Hull City at the MKM Stadium, a result that leaves Unai Emery's side still searching for their first win after back-to-back defeats. The match was defined by Villa's dominance in possession and chances, yet a combination of poor finishing and resilient goalkeeping kept the score level.
John McGinn and Emi Buendia both missed significant opportunities in the second half, while Mohamed Belloumi rattled the crossbar for Hull shortly after the hour mark. Villa produced an expected goals (xG) value of 1.60 compared to Hull's 0.23, and they controlled 67 per cent of possession in the first half, but they could not convert that superiority into goals.
Early Pressure and Missed Chances
Villa nearly took an early lead when summer recruit Nicolas Jackson headed Ian Maatsen's cross narrowly wide of the far post in the third minute. It took Villa just 14 minutes to register their first shot on target, a feat they had not managed in their previous two matches against Brighton and Arsenal, as George Hemmings tested Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis at his near post.
Hull, meanwhile, were aiming to become only the second newly promoted side to win each of their opening three games of a Premier League season, after Bolton Wanderers in 2001-02. But Villa were well on top for most of the half and came closest to breaking the deadlock before the half-hour mark. John McGinn cleverly let Matty Cash's cross roll between his legs, allowing Ross Barkley to bend the ball towards the far corner, but Tzolakis made an impressive save.
After Hull managed to wrestle back some control before half-time, Villa did not create any further goalscoring opportunities but did have a penalty appeal when Jackson appeared to be barged over in the box as Maatsen struck the ball across the area. Referee Michael Oliver took no interest.
Second Half Misses and Hull's Threat
Villa carved out the first opportunity of the second half too, but captain McGinn got his finish all wrong at the end of a well-worked move. It was an excellent passage of play involving Barkley, Buendia and Jackson, who knocked the ball to McGinn around the penalty spot. With Tzolakis racing out, McGinn tried to lob the goalkeeper instead of simply putting the ball in the back of the net.
Just moments later, Buendia missed a golden chance of his own. After Suzuki pinged a perfect long ball to Hemmings, the youngster pulled the ball back for Buendia inside the box, but he blazed the ball over from close range.
It took until the 64th minute for Hull to threaten Villa, and they very nearly made them pay for a series of missed chances. Belloumi struck the bar with an effort from the corner of the box. After going short with the corner, he received the ball back and went for the far top corner. Suzuki was beaten, but the ball crashed off the bar.
Emery turned to Alejandro Garnacho, Matteo Ruggeri and Alysson in the 77th minute as they replaced Hemmings, Maatsen and Buendia, before Tammy Abraham and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were introduced in the 85th minute for Jackson and Cash.
Player Ratings
Zion Suzuki - 8: Made his second start for Villa following his Villa Park debut against Arsenal. He dealt with a low cross early on before punching the ball clear of danger from a corner in the 30th minute. He then made two routine stops. Played a perfect long ball to Hemmings, which led to a big chance for Buendia.
Matty Cash - 7: Got the better of Ryan Giles down the right when he faced him up one-on-one, while he also combined with McGinn further forward.
Victor Lindelof - 6: Dealt with McBurnie well alongside partner, Mings. Made plenty of clearances in the box.
Tyrone Mings - 6: Came into the starting XI as the only change Emery made to his side. Stood tall at set-pieces.
Ian Maatsen - 6: Served up a perfect cross for Jackson in the third minute, but the striker headed wide. The left-back continued to produce quality in advanced areas.
Boubacar Kamara - 6: Picked up the pieces in midfield and helped Villa dominate large parts of the contest.
Ross Barkley - 6: Continued alongside Kamara in the double pivot while Joao Gomes served a suspension and Leon Goretzka wasn't fit enough to feature. He was turned too easily by Mohamed Belloumi in the 10th minute but helped create a chance for Hemmings soon after. Barkley came close to opening the scoring in the first half when he bent an effort towards the near post.
John McGinn - 5: Cleverly left Cash's cross, which led to a shot from Barkley. He enjoyed combining with Cash and continued to find good patterns of play down the right. But he should have scored the opening goal in the 49th minute when he opted to lob the ball over Tzolakis instead of burying the chance.
Emi Buendia - 5: Dropped into pockets to receive the ball and link up with his teammates. Missed a big chance early in the second period when he lifted the ball over the bar after being picked out by Hemmings.
George Hemmings - 6: Took Villa's first shot on target of the season in the 14th minute against Hull. He should have grabbed an assist when he laid the ball back for Buendia in the box, but the Argentine skied over.
Nicolas Jackson - 5: Led the line once again after joining Villa as their new starting centre-forward last week. After heading wide of the target in the third minute, he didn't see much of the ball in dangerous areas where he could hurt Hull. Defender Ajayi was booked after Jackson gave him the slip by dropping his shoulder in the final third. He will need some more time to improve his understanding with his teammates, but did play the final ball to McGinn when the skipper ought to have scored.
Subs: Alejandro Garnacho (for Hemmings, 77'): N/A. Matteo Ruggeri (for Maatsen, 77'): N/A. Alysson (for Buendia, 77'): N/A. Tammy Abraham (for Jackson, 85'): N/A. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (for Cash, 85'): N/A. Subs not used: Bizot, Torres, Mbaye, Bogarde.
Goals: Hull City - N/A, Aston Villa - N/A. The draw leaves Villa with one point from three matches, and they will need to improve their finishing to climb the table.
