Aston Villa take on Hull City at Villa Park
Aston Villa take on Hull City at Villa Park, with both sides looking to respond to their midweek cup exits.
Villa were stunned as League One side Leyton Orient sent them crashing out of the Capital One Cup with a 1-0 win, while Hull failed to make the Europa League group stages after losing on away goals to Belgian outfit Lokeren.
The Premier League is Paul Lambert’s priority, though, and his side have made an encouraging start after picking up four points from their first two games.
An opening day win at Stoke, courtesy of Andreas Weimann's goal, was followed up by a 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle last weekend, although Villa have mustered just one shot on target in the two games.
Hull’s start to the league campaign also mirrors their hosts as James Chester’s header secured them a 1-0 win at QPR, before they held Stoke to a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium last weekend.
Following their Europa League departure, Steve Bruce can now focus his attentions on the Premier League and bringing further players through the door, with Palermo’s Abel Hernandez said to be nearing a move.
Bruce’s side were 2-1 winners over Lokeren on Thursday night thanks to a brace from Robbie Brady, but their 1-0 defeat in Belgium brought an abrupt end to their first taste of European football.
Hull have failed to beat Villa in any of their last 10 attempts, while their last win at Villa Park was a 3-2 victory in Division Two in 1967. Villa won this fixture 3-1 last season.
Team news
Defensive duo Ron Vlaar (knee) and Aly Cissokho (ankle) are set to return to Lambert’s side after not being risked against Leyton Orient.
Jores Okore (knee) will be absent on Sunday but is only expected to be ruled out for a number of days, while Christian Benteke (Achilles) and Libor Kozak (broken leg) remain sidelined.
Elsewhere, Brad Guzan is expected to return in goal in place of Shay Given after being rested on Wednesday night.
Michael Dawson could go straight into Bruce’s side for his Hull debut after signing from Tottenham during the week.
The 30-year-old would be a direct replacement at the heart of defence for Chester, who serves his suspension after being dismissed against Stoke.
Bruce made six changes against Lokeren and may choose to restore the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Nikica Jelavic, Andrew Robertson and Tom Ince to his starting line-up.
Paul Merson’s prediction:
Aston Villa had a great result at Stoke on the opening day, but have found it difficult at home in the games they were expected to win against Newcastle and Leyton Orient. They didn’t score in either of those games and you’re obviously not going to win any football matches if you don’t have shots on target.
Hull are a decent side and worked their socks off with 10 men against Stoke. The European game in midweek might take something out of them, but there’s not a lot between these two teams.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1