Hull City preserved their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
The result extended Hull’s remarkable defensive record to three league matches without conceding, while Villa’s difficult start continued as Unai Emery’s side remain without a goal this season.
Hull came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half when Mohamed Belloumi curled an effort against the crossbar.
Villa had their own chance to snatch victory, but Emiliano Buendía missed from close range after being set up by George Hemmings.
Despite Villa enjoying spells of possession and attempting to take control, Hull’s defence held firm to secure another clean sheet and maintain their impressive return to the top flight.
The Tigers began the campaign with a 2-0 win over Manchester United before beating fellow promoted side Coventry City 1-0 away from home. Saturday’s draw leaves them with seven points from their opening three matches.
For Villa, the point provided little comfort after a troubled start.
Emery’s side had lost their first two league games, suffering a 4-0 defeat at Brighton before going down 1-0 at home to Arsenal. They arrived at Hull without a point or a goal and had failed to register a shot on target in either match.
Villa were more solid defensively on Saturday but once again lacked the attacking sharpness needed to turn their possession and opportunities into goals.
Hull, meanwhile, continued to display the defensive organisation that has underpinned their strong start since returning to the Premier League.
The draw lifted Hull to second in the table, while Villa collected their first point but remain without a goal after three matches.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic had highlighted the importance of the club’s extensive summer recruitment before the match, particularly after a major squad overhaul.
“Finally finished, thank God! Now we can concentrate on our job,” Jakirovic said of the transfer window.
“I am pleased because we have worked very hard these last two months, a lot of calls, a lot of negotiations with players. We always had our plan to bring quality that we can improve our team, but don’t forget also we lost 12 players from last season, so we needed these players.”
That recruitment has so far helped produce a Hull side yet to concede in the league this season.
Villa, by contrast, face an urgent need to find a solution in attack, with pressure beginning to build on Emery and his reshaped squad.
Hull will take plenty of encouragement from another clean sheet, while Villa leave with a first point of the campaign but another frustrating afternoon in front of goal.
