Aston Villa kick off what they hope will be a successful season with a home game against newly relegated Hull City. This match will be Steve Bruce’s first reunion with Hull since he left them last June.
Villa have a number of injury issues going into this opening game, with Jack Grealish (kidney), Mile Jedinak (groin), Jonathan Kodjia (ankle), and Albert Adomah (shin) all unavailable. However, Sam Johnstone, who picked up an injury recently during pre-season, should be fit to play.
Hull also have their own injury issues with Ryan Mason, David Meyler, Will Keane, David Marshall, and Moses Odubajo all out injured.
Looking at the stats from previous matches between these two sides, the statistics are firmly in Villa’s favor. They have won nine of their last 10 home games against the Tigers in all competitions and each of the last 7 in a row.
Steve Bruce also has a very good record when it comes to opening day Championship matches – he has won his last four and with three different clubs (Hull, Birmingham, and Crystal Palace). Villa also enjoy opening matches, as they have won 3 out of their last 4, although they lost their opening Championship game last season to Sheffield United.
This will be a transition season for Hull and Aston Villa should have too much for them on Saturday evening. Therefore, our full-time prediction is 2-1 to Villa.
