Aston Villa v Hull City: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Paul Lambert looks on from the dugout (Getty Images)

Aston Villa go into their Saturday afternoon tilt with Hull hovering precariously above the drop zone and in a worse run of form than any of their fellow relegation-threatened rivals.

Paul Lambert’s side haven’t won in six games and the club has been mired in controversy too, with the suspension a fortnight ago of two of Lambert’s long-serving assistants. Lambert felt the wrath of the Villa fans after Jonjo Shelvey’s wonder goal helped Swansea to a 4-1 win last weekend, and the Scottish manager has perhaps unsurprisingly referred to Villa’s game this weekend as a cup final.

Fortunately for Villa, Hull may have one eye on their very own cup final, with their Wembley meeting with Arsenal only two weeks away. However it didn’t stop them from scuppering Fulham’s survival bid last weekend as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2.

A better omen for the West Midlands side may be that Hull haven’t managed a win over them in the last eight meetings between the two teams. In fact, Hull haven’t even scored a goal against Villa since 1987 – back when the two teams were playing in the old second division and Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ was top of the charts.

Hull meanwhile know that a point will all but guarantee their Premier League safety for another season.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Hull 0 Aston Villa 0, Premier League, October 2013

Hull 0 Aston Villa 2 (Agbonlahor, Milner pen), Premier League, April 2010

Aston Villa 3 (Dunne, Milner, Carew pen) Hull 0, December 2009

STATS…

Hull haven’t scored against Aston Villa for almost 27 years, with their last goals coming in a 2-1 win in the old second division in 1987

Aston Villa have won eight of the past ten meetings between the two sides in all competitions, outscoring Hull by 23 goals to two.

The 76 yellow cards Aston Villa have amassed this season is the highest total in the league – but they are one of only three teams not to pick up a red.

Hull have one of the worst away records in the league this season, with only three wins from 17. However two of those wins have come in their last six away games.

ODDS…

Aston Villa to win: 2.3

Hull to win: 3.2

Draw: 3.2

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm