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Live Commentary: Hull City 0-0 Aston Villa - as it happened

Read how Hull City and Aston Villa played out a goalless draw with each other in the Premier League.
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Hull City and Aston Villa met on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, with both teams looking to extend their respective winning runs to three games.

The KC Stadium didn't see many chances in the first half, despite the visitors controlling possession.

Hull improved after the break but a lack of quality in the final third of the pitch meant that both sides were forced to settle for a point as the match ended goalless.

Read below to find out how the match unfolded.


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Good afternoon everyone. Hull City and Aston Villa have both won their previous two league games but at least one of those records is going to end today. Stick with me to find out who will come out on top at the KC Stadium.

Hull are beginning to prove a few of their doubters wrong with some impressive performances. Steve Bruce may not be blessed with world class talent but his side are showing that they are up for the fight this season.

Many people thought Villa would struggle after losing Christian Benteke to injury but Paul Lambert's side produced one of the shocks of the season so far to beat Manchester City last weekend. They've come a long way under Lambert.

HULL: McGregor, Rosenior, Figueroa, Faye, Davies, Huddlestone, Livermore, Elmohamady, Quinn, Aluko, Graham

SUBSTITUTES: Harper, Bruce, McShane, Meyler, Boyd, Sagbo, Proschwitz


ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Vlaar, Clark, Bacuna, El Ahmadi, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Luna, Westwood, Delph, Kozak

SUBSTITUTES: Steer, Baker, Bennett, Herd, Sylla, Bowery, Tonev


Aston Villa supporters will be delighted to see Gabby Agbonlahor return to the starting lineup, while Ashley Westwood has also earned himself a recall.

Just one change for Hull as Robbie Brady, who was forced to undergo hernia surgery earlier this week, is replaced by Stephen Quinn.

Villa are looking to register three successive Premier League victories for the first time since April 2010. Hull should be confident today but they'll be wary about the threat posed by the visitors on the break.

Lambert's team certainly miss Benteke's presence in attack but they'll always create chances and with Agbonlahor back in the side, they are sure to cause problems.

Brady's injury is a big blow for the hosts. The midfielder has been in fine form this season and Bruce will be hopeful that his absence doesn't go on for too long.

A win for either of these teams today would see them move into fifth place in the Premier League if Man City secure a victory over Everton in the day's early match. They currently lead 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining.

Of course, it's very early in the season but is there a possibility that these two teams have not been given enough credit? Hull seem to have the ability to secure points on a regular basis, while Villa have produced some excellent displays already.

Bruce has managed sides that were expected to struggle in the league before, so he knows what it's all about in the top tier. It's vital that Hull pick up as many points as possible in the first half of the season.

In theory, we should see an entertaining contest today. Don't complain if it's goalless now but with both teams full of confidence, I think a victory could be possible for either club.

Despite Brady's absence, I think we should see another good midfield performance from the hosts today. The signings of Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone have been very important for Hull. Both players are composed on the ball, while also offering cover for the defence and they've been key in Hull's good start to the season.

Manchester City have beaten Everton at the Etihad Stadium, so fifth spot is up for grabs today. Hull or Villa might not stay their for long but that would be a great boost for either side.

PREDICTION: The action is 15 minutes away, so it's time for me to predict the future. I warn you, I'm not very good at this at all. Both teams will be full of confidence but I think they'll have to settle for a draw today. 1-1

If you click on the homepage, you'll see that Sports Mole are covering every game from the Premier League this afternoon. Make sure you stay with us throughout the day.

Hull head into this match having only conceded once in their four home games in all competitions this season. Villa face a tough battle to break down a stubborn defence but the pace of their attacks will be a concern for Bruce.

All of the players have returned to the changing rooms to make their final preparations. The atmosphere is beginning to build inside the ground.

The first goal could be crucial in this match today. I think there should be plenty of chances but it's important for one of the teams to gain the advantage early on.

Both teams are ready now. Hull get the action underway.

It's been a pretty even start to the match, with neither side settling down on the ball for too long.

CHANCE! A moment of hesitation inside the box allows Weimann to collect the ball but he miscues his effort from 12 yards out. Elmohamady made the mistake at the back post and he'll be breathing a sigh of relief.

Villa are looking relaxed on the ball and the visitors are controlling the game now. Delph is pulling the strings in midfield.

Figueroa charges down Agbonlahor's shot and concedes a corner. Hull launch a counter attack after clearing the corner but Aluko can't get past Clark.

Figueroa delivers a brilliant cross into the box but Aluko can't stretch far enough to get a head on the ball. Much better from Hull.

Lambert will be pretty happy with his side's start. The visitors are remaining patient and are enjoying some good possession in nonthreatening areas.

Big cheers around the ground when Livermore dispossesses Delph in midfield. Lambert thinks it's a foul but that looked a very good tackle to me.

Hull are doing a very good job of applying pressure on Villa's dangerous players in midfield. Bruce will be hoping his side can keep the ball better though.

Not much to report from the KC Stadium yet. Agbonlahor has the first sight of goal for a while when he slices a long range effort wide of the target.

CLOSE! Aluko finds Graham with a lovely through ball. The striker delivers an inviting cross but Bacuna does superbly to clear the ball under pressure.

So close to an opening for Villa. The visitors break from a corner and Luna looks to latch onto a through ball but he's flagged for off side after just stepping into Hull's half. He would have had a clear run at goal if the flag was not raised.

Hull have stepped up the tempo in the last few minutes. Aluko is picking up the ball when he drops deep but he needs to find Graham in better areas.

CLOSE! Elmohamady whips in a brilliant cross but Graham is put off by Vlaar inside the six yard box and the forward's wait for a goal continues.

SAVE! Agbonlahor uses his pace to skip past a couple of defenders before seeing his low effort pushed away by McGregor.

Desperate defending from Hull as they deal with a couple of corners. Weimann miscues another effort inside the box and the hosts survive.

The first quarter of this match has proved how evenly matches these two teams are. Impossible to pick a favourite at this stage.

Aluko once again picks up the ball and links well with Elmohamady. Villa stay strong and defend impressively under plenty of pressure.

I always seem to be impressed with Curtis Davies but he's once again displaying his obvious quality at the back. The defender hasn't lost a 50/50 challenge yet.

Delph is the creator of another attack for the visitors but Luna once again strays off side to bring the promising move to an end.

Aluko shows impressive strength in the corner of the pitch to win a corner for his side. Clark rises highest in the box to clear the first cross and Davies is caught off side moments later.

Delph picks up the ball from deep and runs at the Hull defenders. Huddlestone tracks his man well though to make a vital tackle before the midfielder could slice open the defence.

YELLOW CARD! Agbonlahor threatens with his pace on the left and Rosenior hauls his opponent down with a sloppy challenge. The defender is booked and Villa have a free kick in a dangerous area.

YELLOW CARD! Faye clears the free kick under pressure. Westwood prevents a counter attack from gathering pace when he pulls Huddlestone back to commit a cynical foul. The Villa midfielder rightly goes into the book.

Agbonlahor does very well to pick out Kozak in the box. The forward is adjudged to have controlled the ball with his hand though.

Aluko is looking the most likely man to unlock the Villa defence as he displays more quick footwork on the right before picking out Rosenior, whose cross is collected by Guzan.

Villa have certainly enjoyed more of the possession in dangerous areas but they haven't created too much. Faye, Davies and the rest of the Hull defence have been very impressive.

Nothing is sticking for Hull at the moment. Graham is struggling to get involved in attacks, while Aluko is being forced to drop even deeper to pick up the ball.

Hull have the opportunity to cause problems with a free kick just beyond the halfway line. Villa once again clear the danger though and chances continue to be rare.

YELLOW CARD! Davies finally makes a mistake when he brings down Kozak with a poor tackle. The defender is shown a yellow card but Hull manage to deal with the free kick.

Graham does very well to win the ball just outside the box but there's no options for the forward and the move breaks down.

SHOT! The ball comes to Huddlestone 25 yards from goal and the midfielder fires an effort straight at Guzan, who collects at the second time of asking.

HALF-TIME: HULL 0-0 VILLA

Mark Clattenburg brings a fairly uneventful first half to an end. Villa have perhaps been the better side but chances have been few and far between.

Villa had eight shots in the first 45 minutes, with just one effort forcing McGregor into a save. Huddlestone's long range strike was the only shot from Hull.

Bruce will probably be happy with how his side have defended but the home side have barely created anything. Graham looks like an isolated figure at the moment.

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I think there's still plenty to come from Villa but you can see how much of a difference Benteke would make to this team. Kozak is a willing runner but his link up play is not in the same class as his Belgian teammate's.

It's been tight so far and I think most people would have expected that. Can either team make a breakthrough and continue their winning runs?

Both teams have arrived on the pitch for the second half. Clattenburg's whistle gets the action back underway.

Hull start positively but a good move breaks down when Elmohamady's cross is headed away by Vlaar.

Elmohamaday threatens again down the right when he tricks his way past a couple of defenders before seeing his delivery collected by Guzan.

Quinn is released on the left wing but he can't quite control the pass and Bacuna eases his opponent out of the way to win a goal kick. Good defending.

Hull once again turn to Elmohamady, who cuts inside before dragging a poor effort well wide of the target from 25 yards out. The hosts have been much better since the break.

Hull are playing the ball around very well now and it's Villa who are being forced to go longer with their passes towards Kozak, who has spent most of this match inside the pocket of Davies.

CHANCE! Best opportunity of the game so far. Bacuna beats a couple of defenders on the right before pulling the ball back. Agbonlahor connects with the ball well but he fires his shot just past the post.

Quinn's low free kick from the right causes problems in the box but Graham can't make meaningful contact with the ball inside the six yard box.

Hull's defence are applying themselves excellently. Agbonlahor looks dangerous when he has the ball but Weimann and Kozak are offering very little.

Huddlestone is beginning to control the match in midfield. Delph's influence is diminishing as a result.

Hull are applying the pressure but a couple of poor corners are easy for Villa to clear. Sadly, a lack of quality has been the theme for most of this match.

SHOT! Another corner is cleared to Huddlestone on the edge of the box and the midfielder strikes the ball wide with a weak effort.

I think we might see a change from one of the managers soon. The game needs an injection of something if either team are to find a breakthrough.

Westwood delivers free kick from deep. Clark rises highest in the box but he heads well over from 12 yards out.

The ball drops to Aluko inside the box but he doesn't take the opportunity to shoot and is eventually tackled by Clark.

SHOT! El Ahmadi is offered plenty of room but his long range save is easily saved by McGregor.

Weimann displays some nice skill inside the box before picking out El Ahmadi, whose shot is deflected behind. Hull clear the corner just moments later.

: Bruce is the first manager to show his hand as he brings off Quinn and Aluko to make room for George Boyd and Yannick Sagbo.

Agbo immediately gets involved in the game on the left wing and delivers a dangerous cross. Elmohamady collects the ball but fires his effort well wide of the target.

There's a stoppage in play when Davies goes down after colliding with Kozak. Both players have suffered cuts to their heads and they are forced off the pitch for treatment.

Both players hurt in that collision are able to continue following some patch-up work. Under 20 minutes remaining in the match. Will we see a goal?

Rosenior's free kick causes problems when Guzan fails to collect the ball. Faye can't control at the first time of asking and his cross is then too long to trouble Villa.

SUBSTITUTIONS Westwood and Agbonlahor are removed for Villa as Lambert sends on Jordan Bowery and Aleksandar Tonev.

Villa enjoy some sustained possession but the move breaks down when Delph fails to make the right decision in the final third of the pitch.

Delph shows great desire to win the ball in midfield before sprinting forward and firing a shot straight at one of the Hull defenders.

Hull seem the side who are more eager to find a breakthrough at this late stage but the hosts are still struggling to create chances. Guzan has barely been tested.

Villa are being forced to launch long passes towards Kozak, who is struggling to retain possession in advanced positions. Hull's defence are continuing to impress.

Huddlestone is finding more and more space but he's not getting a lot of help. The midfielder picks out Sagbo, who loses the ball inside the box.

The crowd voice their frustration when Elmohamady delivers another poor cross from the right. It's certainly not been his best day.

SUBSTITUTION: Elmohamady's disappointing performance comes to an end and he's replaced by David Meyler.

Bacuna wastes a good opportunity when he delivers a poor corner before seeing a second cross cleared at the near post. This definitely hasn't been a classic.

Boyd hasn't much of an impact since coming on but he threatens to find a breakthrough with a weaving run on the left before being dispossessed just inside the box.

Brilliant defending from Figueroa as he tackles Kozak at a crucial time just after Weimann had flicked the ball on.

SHOT! El Ahmadi exchanges passes with Kozak before firing the ball straight at McGregor. Four minutes of added time to be played.

Tonev picks up the ball on the left and with very little options available, he drags his shot well wide of the target. Poor from the substitute.

Hull win a free kick on the right. Huddlestone delivers the cross but Davies is too far out to cause problems with his header.

Luna is pulled up for a foul throw. To be honest, it's been that kind of day.

FULL TIME: HULL 0-0 VILLA

I'd love to call it a game for the purists but in truth, it just wasn't a very entertaining afternoon. Neither side can claim that they did enough to collect three points.

I'm not sure if this game will live very long in the memories of the supporters. Both sides earn a point and their unbeaten runs continue. Thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

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Steve Bruce the Hull City manager looks on prior to kickoff during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and West Ham United at KC Stadium on September 28, 2013
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