Where are they now?
18th – Hull City – 24 games – 20 points – Goal Difference (-13)
16th – Aston Villa – 24 games – 22 points- Goal Difference (-20)
Hull City
The tigers come into this match after holding defending champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium. Hull were resilient, fought hard and showed the kind of determination that was missing from the side in the past several weeks.
Hull City could move out of the relegation spots with a win here. They could move to as high as 15th if they manage to score a win versus the Villains (provided other results go their way).
The result against Manchester City should have lifted the confidence of Steve Bruce’s men.
Whoever wins this match it will be a big stepping from them for the rest of the season. Hull’s top scorer this season Nikica Jelavic could return from injury.
Tigers’ new signing Dame N’Doye could make his debut for the club.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa were handed another defeat on Saturday by League leaders Chelsea who beat them 2-1 but the one good thing happened for them in the match. Their goal drought of six games came to an end when Jores Okore scored versus Chelsea.
Villa has a series of games coming up and their performances here will decide as to what happens to them at the end of the season. They need score goals and pick up point starting with Hull on Tuesday.
Villains have won 6 out of the 7 matches against Hull city.
Robb Vlaar could return to the team after recovering from his knee injury. This will surely tighten up their defence. Loanee Scott Sinclair could also make his first start for the club.
It will be interesting to see whether Paul Lambert starts Christian Benteke after he was dropped to the bench for the last game versus Chelsea.
Past Meeting
Aston Villa had one of their best starts to a Premier League season this campaign. Hull were one of the teams that the brushed past in their initial good form. Villa bet Hull 2-1 with goals from Agbonlahor and Weimann while Nikica Jelavic scored the lone goal for Hull.
Prediction
Hull City vs Aston Villa – Hull to win it 2-1, I have a feeling that Villa will improve but not in this game Hull look more like the side they were last season and may find their way out of the relegation battle soon. Should be a cracker of a match.