Steve Bruce bemoans "awful" Hull City defending

Hull City boss Steve Bruce has admitted that his side's defending was "awful" during Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Tigers were well beaten at Villa Park as they extended their winless run to three matches in the top flight.

Following the defeat, Bruce was left in no doubt that his team got what they deserved on a disappointing afternoon.

"The way we started the game was the way we finished the first half, so sloppy and awful in our defending," he told reporters.

"The reason we've got to where we've got to is the ability to be resilient and defend right and we were awful in that department.

"That's not just the back three or four, it's the whole team. We didn't get started."

Hull return to Premier League action on Tuesday night when they make the trip to champions Manchester United.