Match preview: Villa v Hull
Villa team news: Jonathan Kodjia missed the Wigan debacle due to a sore ankle, but he is now fit again. Jack Grealish, Axel Tuanzebe (foot), and Henri Lansbury (hamstring) are all unavailable still. Andre Green is available for selection as he has been recalled from his loan spell at Portsmouth.
Hull team news: Jackson Irvine remains unavailable as he is still on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup. Fraizer Campbell missed the last game due to a small knock, but he is fit to play again now.
Villa’s player to watch: Tammy Abraham has been in fine scoring form this season with 16 goals in just 21 appearances. He averages a goal every 112 minutes of action, so since he failed to find the net against Wigan, he should be due a goal.
Hull’s player to watch: Jarrod Bowen has scored four braces so far this season and has scored 7 goals in his last 5 league games. If Villa don’t pay close attention to him, he will punish them.
Interesting Stats
- Villa are unbeaten in their last 12 home matches against Hull (won 9 and drew 3). This run stretches all the way back to 1967.
- However, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has not managed to beat Hull in his last three meetings with the club (drew 2 and lost 1).
- Villa have conceded more goals at home (24 in 13 matches) than any other side in the league.
- This will be Nigel Adkins’ second visit to Villa Park as a manager. The first time was when his Southampton side recorded a 1-0 win in January 2013.
- Tammy Abraham has scored in each of his last five home games for Villa.