Hull maintain unbeaten start with hard-fought draw against Aston Villa

Villa kick-off their Champions League campaign at Club Brugge on Tuesday.

Elliot Stroud rues a missed chance. Pic: Bruce Rollinson/PA

Hull’s unbeaten start to life back in the Premier League continued as Sergej Jakirovic’s surprise package ended a breathless week by holding rebuilding Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw.

Six deadline-day signings were followed by the Tigers handing new contracts to six of their Championship play-off heroes and the manager who masterminded their top-flight return.

Hull secured another positive result on Saturday evening, when Mohamed Belloumi went agonisingly close to adding another victory to their Manchester United and Coventry triumphs when rattling the crossbar in the second half.

Emiliano Buendia wasted the best Villa opening as Unai Emery’s new-look side picked up their first point of the season, but their wait to score a Premier League goal continues.

There were some promising moments but plenty of work remains for the Spanish coach, whose side kick-off their Champions League campaign at Club Brugge on Tuesday.