“Two games. Six points. Not bad.” – Sergej Jakirovic.
It feels rather surreal to be writing ahead of a second straight home match against UEFA Champions League opposition feeling confident about City’s prospects against Aston Villa, but that is exactly what this team has instilled in all supporters, particularly after the end of what has turned out to be a fantastic transfer window with 18 new recruits.
Of course, Manchester United and Coventry City were nowhere near at the races in either of the Tigers’ first two wins, and many would argue that, should Villa turn it on at the MKM Stadium, they have the ability to cause plenty of damage, even if they arrive as a ‘wounded animal’.
There is also the reminder that, 12 months ago, it took Unai Emery’s side five Premier League matches to score a goal – ironically against the previous season’s play-off winners – and six to win, before winning 13 of their next 14 and eventually ending a 30-year trophy drought.
Aston Villa assessed
It does, of course, feel rather strange to assess Villa without their usual suspects who have left and generated plenty of cash, but that isn’t to say that their replacements will not be equally as impressive in time.
However, as much as his work-rate was admirable against Arsenal, Nicolas Jackson struggled to get involved, as proven with the end stats reading seven Villa shots and none on target.
Zion Suzuki made a strong impression on his Premier League debut despite eventually conceding to Bukayo Saka, and it remains to be seen whether Ibrahim Mbaye or Alejandro Garnacho are thrown into the equation on Saturday due to the speed and directness they provide, although George Hemmings also acquitted himself well against Arsenal’s robust back-line.
Boubacar Kamara, who has provided plenty of quality from a deep-lying position, could also come into the fray, which would make for a fascinating battle against Regan Slater and, potentially, Lucas Gorna-Douath, who emerged with plenty of credit for his combativeness at the CBS in the second 45.
Can Hull City’s counter-attacking style sting Aston Villa?
Saturday’s game will certainly be an intriguing tactical perspective, with Hull and Villa sat 20th and 18th respectively when it comes to possession averages.
Whilst we are yet to see Emery’s ‘Villa 2.0’ click into gear, many Premier League supporters are now becoming accustomed to seeing just how Jakirovic’s team defied the data in the Championship to win football matches.
The Tigers have only had 24 touches in the opposition penalty area across 180 minutes of league action this season, but have six points and three goals to show for it.
As impressive as City were in moving the ball quickly to wide areas, as well as being intense out of possession against United, decision-making against Coventry, aside from Millar’s late winner, was somewhat lacking, and it will need to return to maximum level against Villa.
It remains to be seen who will start on the left flank given Elliot Stroud’s mixed introduction and the signing of Sorba Thomas, whilst Mohamed Belloumi feels a guarantee on the right.
However, the two Tigers wingers will be facing off against two streetwise full-backs in Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen – that said, with their tendency to support Villa attacks, this could present similar chances yet again for the home side on the break.
Another sub-plot comes as to how Villa deal with the set-pieces which yielded the Tigers’ two goals against United, with former tactical guru, Austin MacPhee, now on the books of Chelsea along with Emiliano Martinez and Morgan Rogers, although he has since been replaced by Pal Fjelde.
At this stage, whilst such tactics are working for City, it does beg the question of how long it takes for them to be ‘found out’, as we saw in the 2008/09 season post-Christmas.
‘Joint-Record-breaking Hull City….’
Another question for Saturday’s game is whether City can become only the second newly-promoted side in Premier League history to win all of their first three matches, along with Bolton Wanderers in 2001.
Considering the club’s position at the end of 2024/25, it is remarkable that this prospect is even being spoken about with the UEFA Europa League holders lying in wait.
Even though an xG of 3.1 has been conceded in the opening two games, the defensive trio of Semi Ajayi, John Egan and Nobel Mendy have been imperious as well as Konstantinos Tzolakis, and it will be fascinating to see their respective battles against Jackson, who returns to the Premier League with a point to prove.
At this stage, a defeat would certainly not be the end of the world, a draw would almost certainly be taken in the lead-up to the game, and whilst a third victory in a row would perhaps lead to more questions about where Villa potentially go in the future, it would, as the record books prove, teeter on ‘historic’…
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