Brown makes five changes

Hull boss Phil Brown reacted to his side’s humiliating defeat at Manchester City by ringing the changes for tonight’s visit of Aston Villa.

Brown, who publicly lambasted his players at half-time at Eastlands, retained only six players from the side thrashed 5-1 on St Stephen's Day to face Martin O’Neill’s Premier League high-fliers.

Brazilian star Geovanni and Marlon King were the biggest casualties while George Boateng, Dean Windass and Dean Marney were also dropped.

Sam Ricketts, Nick Barmby, Richard Garcia, Peter Halmosi and Daniel Cousin were all drafted in.

Villa, looking to move back into the top four, were unchanged from the side which drew 2-2 with Arsenal last time out.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Mendy, Garcia, Ashbee, Halmosi, Barmby, Cousin.

Subs: Duke, Doyle, Fagan, Geovanni, Hughes, King, Giannakopoulos.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner, Osbourne.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)