Aston Villa welcomed Hull City to Villa Park in the Premier League this afternoon, with both teams looking to kick on from promising starts this campaign.
Paul Lambert's men dominated from the off and were put ahead after 14 minutes when Gabriel Agbonlahor showed real quality to turn and finish on the edge of the box.
The hosts found themselves 2-0 ahead at half time thanks to Andreas Weimann's neat finish after he was picked out by some incisive play from Kieran Richardson.
Hull ensured a close finish when Aly Cissokho put into his own net, but Villa were able to cling on for the final 10 minutes to close out all three points.
Here, Sports Mole rates the players' performances in the encounter.
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ASTON VILLA
Goal
Brad Guzan: Didn't have much to do, but calm when called upon. Did well to prevent Sone Aluko during added time. (7/10)
Defence
Alan Hutton Looked to press high and force Hull to give the ball away. Provided support to Charles N'Zogbia when required. (7/10)
Philippe Senderos: Appears to be a brilliant signing and added some much needed strength to Villa's defence today. (7/10)
Ron Vlaar: Carried on his impressive exploits at the World Cup with another assured performance at the back. (7/10)
Aly Cissokho: Largely unchallenged throughout the game, put into his own net for the goal. (6/10)
Midfield
Fabian Delph: One of the best players on the pitch. Constantly causing problems between the lines and running the Villa midfield. (8/10)
Ashley Westwood: Provided some steel when required. Played a defence-splitting ball into Darren Bent, who should have scored. (7/10)
Charles N'Zogbia: Ineffectual out on the right, but did do well defensively when tracking back to help Hutton on the few occasions he needed to. (6/10)
Kieran Richardson: Similar to N'Zogbia, did well getting back and proved more effective with his running. Good support to Agbonlahor too. (7/10)
Attack
Gabriel Agbonlahor: Man of the match for me, pure pace terrified the defence and brought other players into the game. Took his goal well. (9/10)
Andreas Weimann: Showed efficiency when required to fire past Alan McGregor. Adroit movement to keep the centre-backs on edge. (8/10)
Substitutes
Jack Grealish: Looks an exciting prospect. Did brilliantly to draw fouls late on and take time out of the game. (8/10)
Darren Bent: Should've put the game to bed, but instead fired wide in the closing stages. (6/10)
Carlos Sanchez: Rather anonymous since being introduced, did provide some good tackles in midfield though. (6/10)
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HULL CITY
Goal
Alan McGregor: Can hardly be blamed for the goals, made a good stop to deny Agbonlahor too. (6/10)
Defence
Michael Dawson: Didn't have the best of debuts, looked shaken when attacked at pace. (6/10)
Paul McShane: Often appeared two steps behind the play and committed too many fouls. (6/10)
Andrew Robertson: One of the brighter performances, got forward well early on and put in some decent crosses. (7/10)
Curtis Davies: Off the pace and booked in the first half. Offered Agbonlahor too much space for the goal. (6/10)
Midfield
Jake Livermore: Failed to keep possession and anchor a position in the middle. Did force a good save from Guzan, though. (6/10)
Tom Huddlestone: Summed up Hull's performance, too costly in possession and passing was way out of range. (5/10)
Ahmed Elmohamady: Offered his side an ineffectual outlet, failed to track back. (6/10)
Tom Ince: Had a bright start, but faded until he was replaced in the second period. (6/10)
Stephen Quinn: Put in the yards but offered nothing of noteworthy quality. Booked too. (6/10)
Attack
Nikica Jelavic: Moved well in the opening stages. Often left isolated and let himself down with his touch. (6/10)
Substitutes
Sone Aluko: By far the best player for the visitors. Added some quality up front and caused some nervous moments in the Villa defence. (7/10)
Robbie Brady: Looked more creative than Ince, but failed to produce end product. (6/10)
Liam Rosenior: Played better than Davies. Wasted a good chance by flashing high and wide in the second half. (6/10)
Christopher Dodd
