Aston Villa welcomed Hull City to Villa Park in the Premier League this afternoon as both sides looked to push on from encouraging starts to the new campaign.
Villa dominated from the off, with their pace and quality in attack proving the difference, as Gabby Agbonlahor put them ahead in the 14th minute with a neat turn and finish.
Hull failed to retain possession and they were thwarted again before half time when Andreas Weimann converted from the centre of the box.
Aly Cissokho put into his own net near the end of the second half as Steve Bruce's men mounted a revival, but it was too little too late as the hosts claimed all three points.
You can find out how all of the action developed by reading our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our live coverage as Aston Villa take on Hull City at Villa Park in the Premier League. These sides finished within a place of each other last time out so expect a tight clash in Sunday's opening fixture. Both clubs have endured encouraging starts to the new campaign, but were also knocked out of cup tournaments during the week. Given that, expect hammer and tongs as someone strives to bounce back with a win today.
We're expecting Villa to announce some positive team news this afternoon, with Ron Vlaar and Aly Cissokho hopefully returning to action after missing their midweek League Cup defeat at the hands of Leyton Orient.
Hull are also expected to hand a start to new signing Michael Dawson, who should take the place of James Chester who is out following suspension.
We've just got word of this afternoon's team news and will be brining you it shortly...
Aston Villa starting XI: Guzan; Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar, Cissokho, Richardson, N'Zogbia, Delph, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Weimann
Hull City starting XI: McGregor; Davies, Dawson, McShane, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Livermore, Robertson, Quinn, Jelavic, Ince
Aston Villa substitutes: Baker, Bacuna, Cole, Bent, Sanchez, Given, Grealish
Hull City substitutes: Rosenior, Bruce, Meyler, Brady, Sagbo, Harper, Aluko
So there we have it, as we thought Villa welcome back defensive pair Vlaar and Cissokho, which should strengthen their back-line as they go in search of their second win of the season.
Paul Lambert has decided to include the pace of Gabby Agbonlahor and Charles N'Zogbia, while the hosts will look to Andreas Weimann for his efficiency in front of goal.
This afternoon's visitors will feature the presence of experienced defender Dawson, who replaces Chester, with Nikica Jelavic feautring as a focal point in attack. The former Everton striker will be given service by a rapid supporting cast that features Tom Ince and Ahmed Elmohamady. Tom Huddleston and Jake Livermore will look to control the midfield and prevent forward movement from Villa's Fabian Delph and Ashley Westwood.
There are some rather fascinating statistics surrounding this fixture. For example, Hull have failed to win at Villa Park since 1967 and this could be a plight made even more difficult given the mental and physical workout that Steve Bruce's men went through when they were eliminated from the Europa League at the hands of Belgian side Lokeren on Thursday.
However, on the other hand, Villa's home ground isn't exactly the fortress you'd expect it to be. Lambert's men have won just 15 of their last 58 Premier League games at Villa Park so this afternoon's fixture really is up in the air.
Home fans will be boosted by the fact that their side has gone unbeaten in three successive Premier League home matches for the first time since December 2012, while today's fixture provides them with the opportunity to notch three successive clean sheets in a row for the first time since 1900.
Hull will need to improve greatly on their scoring statistics against Villa though, with City scoring for the first time in nine games against Villa last May. This afternoon's visitors may not be too concerned by Villa's frontline at the moment, given that Lambert's side have mustered just one shot on target in the Premier League this season.
Overall, the away side have been more prolific than Villa in recent games. Bruce's attack is now vying to score in five successive Premier League away games for the first time since September 2009.
Hull's Dawson has an important task on his hands this afternoon as he looks to marshall a defence that has kept only one clean sheet in their last seven league matches, which was away at QPR on the opening day.
When you compare the head-to-head stats for today's clash, overall Villa have won eight of the last nine meetings between the two clubs across all competitions - with the Villans winning eight and drawing one.
Villa have made a few important signings so far and they may look to add to their squad before the window closes. The addition of Philippe Senderos should shore up their defence in the coming weeks, while the purchase of Carlos Sanchez could add more dynamism in midfield. He starts from the bench today and could play a vital role in the latter stages of the fixture.
Hull may have signed Dawson, but they've lost some important players already. Winger Robert Snodgrass is out through injury, while Shane Long has also departed the club; taking vital goals with him. Bruce also recently failed to sign Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn Rovers...
Time for a prediction, then. Although Villa aren't exactly a force to be reckoned with at home, I think they might have just a bit too much quality for the Hull defence. Delph has had impressive spells this campaign and I think his quality in the middle could unlock the Hull defence a good few times today. I'm going to say 2-0 to the hosts.
We're about five or so minutes away from kickoff at Villa Park and the players are just in the tunnel as an expectant Villa Parka awaits.
The players are now making their way out onto the pitch as we get set to get the game underway.
KICKOFF! Hull get us underway then, but they give the ball straight away and Delph looks to break forward. He finds Agbonlahor, who finds the midfielder again, but he flashes wide of goal.
There's plenty space early on and Hull make good progress down the left with Robertson. However, he gives it away and a pacey Villa look to move forward on the break. It gets played into Weimann where the play finally breaks down and City retain possession.
Hull keep their foot on the ball for the first time as they look to settle into proceedings. They move the ball around the centre of the pitch where Huddlestone plays in Jelavic, who is marshalled by Senderos and the ball is fed out for a corner kick.
There's a real bite to this encounter in the first 10 minutes with both sides looking to win the ball and break away on the counter. It's end to end at the moment, with Delph's chance the only one to speak of.
Villa's pressing has been promising, they've looked to push right up on the City defence. You can already tell their set on taking seven points into the international break.
Robertson has been the visitors' best outlet so far as he looks to move down the left. This time he gets the beating of the full-back and crosses for Quinn, however Guzan comes out commandingly to claim.
Gaps are starting to open up in midfield already and Tom Ince looks to make good use of the grass. He picks up the ball in the centre before driving forward with real gusto. He feeds in Jelavic on the flank, who sadly can't control it properly and instead sends in a tame cross, again for Guzan to snatch in the air with ease.
It might be a tad slippery out there on the pitch and it nearly does for Livermore as he falls to the deck, almost allowing Ince to steal in one-on-one with the keeper. Thankfully the defender gets a touch on the ball as he falls, which allows Dawson to recover and clear.
GOAL! GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-0 HULL CITY (GABBY AGBONLAHOR)
Villa take the lead! It's pretty poor defending from City as they stand off Villa who break forward. Weimann feeds in Agbonlahor on the edge of the box, who is given far too much room to turn. He spins in one touch and picks out the bottom left corner of goal, leaving Guzan to dive in despair as the ball flies past him to give the hosts the lead.
CLOSE! The home side are almost in again as Hull give the ball away needlessly in the right full-back position. Agbonlahor picks it up and advances forwards. He picks out a cross, which is cleared away by McShane.
Hull mount a slight fightback as they move forwards now and it's Roberston who again provides the cross, which evades Livermore at the back post.
The visitors are looking a little shaky when Villa move forwards. Delph is looking particularly threatening as he moves around in the spaces found between midfield and defence.
Hull want too much time on the ball at the moment and it's playing into Villa's hands, as they look to hustle from as far forward as possible
SHOT! Well, well... Delph. The midfield man is given far too much time on the ball and he moves towards the edge of the area. Clearly spurred on by the crowd's chants of "SHOOT" he duly obliges and fires off a poor effort that is dragged wide of goal.
CLOSE! Hull win a free kick on the edge of the box and it gets whipped in by Huddlestone, but Weimann is there to flick the ball away across the face of goal. Not too far away from an own goal, but also a great piece of defending with Jelavic closing in.
It's looking scrappy from Villa at the moment in defence, but they're still threatening on the counter. Agbonlahor breaks away down the left, but his cross is closed out by Dawson.
The corner is finally turned into the box, but it's only cleared as far as Cissokho, who crashes an effort towards goal that is fortunately blocked before it reaches a stranded McGregor.
GOAL! GOAL! ASTON VILLA 2-0 HULL CITY (ANDREAS WEIMANN)
Fantastic stuff from the hosts as they double their lead and it's in attack where they've been most impressive. Hull are partially at fault again for handing them too much space, giving Agbonlahor time to find Richardson inside the box. He takes his time to pick out an inch-perfect pass across the deck, where Weimann is waiting to apply a classy finish down low past a helpless McGregor. Pure class from Villa!
SAVE! More attacking stuff from the hosts now as Agbonlahor picks up the ball on the left, he cuts inside past the full-back and fires in a strike across goal. However, McGregor is there to make a very smart stop down low to deny the striker his second goal of the game.
POST! Wow. What an effort from Westwood! Davies gives away a needless free kick on the edge of the box, allowing the Villa midfielder to step up and curl in an effort with his right. He goes for the near post, with a diving McGregor well beaten, only to see the ball crash back off the woodwork.
Hull just haven't been able to get a foothold in this opening period. Villa haven't been totally faultless at the back and the visitors have had chances to retain the ball and perhaps work an opening. Instead, they've given things away far too easily and Villa have punished them with their pace and enterprise going forward.
Good work from Huddlestone for Hull. He meanders around the edge of the area with no options in front of him. In response he shuffles the ball out on his left before trying to work the keeper, with his effort deflected away for a corner. The set-piece is fired in, but easily cleared away by Guzan.
HALF TIME: ASTON VILLA 2-0 HULL CITY
Villa in firm control then as goals from Agbonlahor and Weimann give them a 2-0 lead at half time. It's been nothing less than they've deserved, with the hosts superb on the flanks and in the box. Hull haven't done themselves any favours with some poor defending and an inability to retain possession. Bruce will be having some serious words during the interval, I imagine.
It's been out wide where Villa have been most dangerous, but they've also been helped out by some rather slack defending in the full-back roles. Agbonlahor is causing all sorts of trouble on the left, meaning that Delph can break into the box and Weimann can look to work the isolated centre-backs.
Livermore and Huddlestone need to step up to the plate in the second period. If they can get hold of the ball and keep possession, their defenders will get a rest and it might just give Jelavic some time to take up more threatening positions.
The hosts have dominated the possessional statistics with Lambert's men holding 56% of the ball, while they've also been more productive in front of goal by getting three out of their seven shots on target. Meanwhile, the visitors have only had two shots, which have both been off-target
Such is the desperate state the visitors find themselves in going forward, those two shots have come from outside of the area, while Villa's percentages weigh up as 71% of shots inside the box.
Bruce will be urging his side to try and keep the ball a bit more. Villa have shown glimpses of frailty when Hull have been given time and space to operate and it's something Hull could look to exploit in the second period.
KICKOFF! Villa get us back underway now, with a long ball being set into Agbonlahor, but McGregor is quick off his line to punch the ball away from danger.
Great strength and determination from Delph as he steals in to take the ball away from Huddlestone. The hosts just look like they want it more at the moment.
CLOSE! Westwood curls in a free kick, which Senderos does well to reach. He leaps past Dawson and heads down low towards goal. Thankfully for the visitors, McGregor is on hand to get down and make a good save. Good movement from the former Fulham defender.
Jelavic is cutting an isolated figure in attack at the moment. Huddlestone needs to get further forward and start playing in some passes to the striker. At the moment he's far too deep and his threat is being nullified.
Villa are working hard to close down Hull when they do have the ball. It's resulting in the visitors chucking it forward, allowing Villa to collect with ease.
SUBSTITUTION: Ince heads off and is replaced by Robbie Brady in midfield. The change comes after a good spell of possession from the visitors, which results in a poor corner being delivered by Huddlestone.
Great work from Villa going forward. Hull are lured into a false sense of security by holding possession up the pitch. Weimann wins it back and pops a delightful lofted ball in behind the defence. Agbonlahor is on the chase and he gets past Dawson on the edge of the area. He crosses but McShane is there to clear.
Lambert's men shift their focus to the right side of the pitch now as Delph exchanges passes with N'Zogbia. He can't quite make the most of the one-on-one situation and is tackled by Quinn.
SUBSTITUTION: N'Zogbia is replaced by Sanchez now as Villa look to shore up their midfield. Richardson will probably move out to the right wing.
That looks a little nasty as McShane collides with Agbonlahor. He doesn't mean it, but the Hull man accidentally treads on the striker as he hits the deck.
A poor attempt from Hull and it's probably the worst of the bunch. Brady does well in midfield and he breaks forward to find Jelavic, he's half tackled and the ball falls to the right side of the box. Rosenior advances and lashes a horrible shot high and wide of Guzan, who waves it away as if he had it covered.
SUBSTITUTION: Huddlestone is replaced by Villa-born Sone Aluko. Good call from Bruce as he tries to change things in midfield by taking a man out and adding a striker. Huddlestone has been poor this afternoon.
Just under twenty minutes left to play now and it wouldn't surprise me if Villa were to snatch another one here. They've been a little better at keeping possession, but there's been no effort to connect midfield and attack.
GOAL! GOAL! ASTON VILLA 2-1 HULL CITY (ALY CISSOKHO OWN GOAL)
And just as I say that, Hull give themselves a lifeline. A free kick is turned into the box, where Jelavic connects with a header on target. It's heading into the back of the net, but also hits Cissokho on the way. It goes down as an own goal, but I'm sure the Hull striker will be claiming that one.
Here we go then, we're set for a blockbuster finish with Hull well in it now. It's almost game over again though, as Delph comes forward with options both sides. Instead he poorly decides to go it alone and drags a tame shot wide. He could have killed things off there.
SAVE! Villa are almost made to pay for some inefficient attacking. Livermore crashes a superb effort in on goal, leaving Guzan to leap up and turn the shot over the crossbar. Wonderful stop from the Villa keeper.
BOOKING! Jelavic is given a yellow having caught Grealish late, with the youngster showing some neat skill in the middle of the park to evade the striker the first time.
Villa are looking uncomfortable now as both Lambert and Roy Keane pace the touchline. Brady tucks in from the left and flashes a cross across goal, which is cleared by the last man.
BOOKING! Grealish does it again as he draws a foul from Elmohamady, as the youngster looks to take time out of the game. Meanwhile, Villa striker Agbonlahor is given a standing ovation as he is replaced by Darren Bent.
BOOKING! Quinn is booked now, with Grealish proving far too quick for his opponents. He's done brilliantly since being introduced.
Hull are still in this encounter, but Villa hang on. The ball is pumped across the pitch with the visitors looking for something more in hope. Villa clear their lines for now.
The crowd are fully behind the hosts as we enter the final few minutes. City get in behind the defence and Jelavic fires off a shot at Guzan who saves well. The linesman has his flag up, though. Offside!
Five minutes of additional time at Villa Park and Lambert looks a little bemused by that call...
CLOSE! Bent should put things beyond doubt and he's inches away! Westwood breaks forward and plays in an inch-perfect ball for the striker, who fires across goal and wide.
SAVE! It's Aluko now and he almost grabs Hull a last-gasp point. He nips in behind the defence following a poor clearance, only for Guzan to make himself big and save in the dying embers. What a finish to a great game...
Grealish finds himself with space on the left flank, leaving him to cut the ball into an advancing Delph. His shot is deflected and Hull get the goal kick. They launch it forward, but it's too late too late.
FULL TIME: ASTON VILLA 2-1 HULL CITY
So Aston Villa pick up their second win of the Premier League campaign to continue an encouraging start. Despite the suspense in the final 10 minutes, it's three points fully deserved for Lambert's men. Hull might have got something out of this had they decided to commit themselves to a recovery a little earlier in the encounter. In the end though, Villa had too much pace and quality in attack and it's proved the difference here. Thanks for joining us, be sure to check out our live commentary as Leicester welcome Arsenal later this afternoon too.
