Analysis: Tigers continue impressive startpublished at 21:14 BST
21:14 BST
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Hull entered the third round of fixtures as one of only four Premier League clubs with a 100% record after two games.
And Sergej Jakirovic's side had every opportunity to keep that record going against Aston Villa.
The majority of Hull's attacks on Saturday went through Mohamed Belloumi on the right wing and he almost gifted a third win from as many matches to the Tigers here with a stunning effort.
The Algerian winger, 24, has shown in the opening weeks he has the quality to make an impact in the Premier League after starring in their promotion campaign.
But it was not just Belloumi who threatened to inflict another defeat on Villa.
New signing Mohamed-Ali Cho produced a save out of Zion Suzuki after combining with Oli McBurnie in the 89th minute and, not much later, McBurnie himself failed to make proper connection with a Ryan Giles cross with the goal at his mercy.
But sitting just two points behind leaders Manchester City with a clean sheet and unbeaten after three matches is not a bad position to be in for a club that avoided relegation to League One on goal difference only last year.
Hull City 0-0 Aston Villa: What Jakirovic saidpublished at 19:56 BST
19:56 BST
Media caption,
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic speaking to BBC's Match of the Day: "I'm realistic. I think this is a realistic result. We gave everything we had. They had two clear chances, we also could win the game at the end. I won't be ungrateful, this is a great result for us. Seven points, three games. Clean sheet. Let's move on."
On balancing his new signings into the team: "I know the core of my team, this is the Championship players. Of course, we brought the players in to put some quality there. We have. The big problem for me is who didn't have a pre-season. This is a very big problem. But we will try. For example, on Tuesday, we will use that to give minutes and at the end, they will get a new chance."
On Oli McBurnie's late chance: "Maybe fatigue, because it's a great effort from Oli. It is very demanding because we were out of possession which is very normal. Aston Villa is a good team, they need more time with their new players. Same with Ali-Cho. I don't know how many meters, if he shoots one metre around the goalkeeper. He has a chance. But we will not be ungrateful, we will be looking forward."
On recent form: "Maybe expect to fight for a Champions League place? No, of course it is early. Our goal is to as soon as possible, collect the points. I think around 38/40 points, so as soon as possible to get these points."
Did you know?
Hull City are just the third newly promoted side to keep a clean sheet in each of their opening three Premier League games of a season after Charlton Athletic in 1998-99 and Huddersfield Town in 2017-18.
Hull City are the sixth newly promoted side to earn 7+ points in their opening three games of a Premier League season and first since Huddersfield Town in 2017-18.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Tottenham" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Aston Villa match", for example.
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Sutton's predictions: Hull City v Aston Villa published at 11:01 BST
11:01 BST
Hull City will be on such a high after winning their first two games, and that makes this game even harder to predict.
The Tigers are really well organised and are not bothered about how much possession they have, they are just bothered about being effective when they do get the ball.
They defend the box brilliantly but there will still be a few weeks this season where teams run all over them because of the way they are set up.
Aston Villa won't necessarily do that, but I still think they will come out on top despite their poor start to the new campaign.
Ollie Watkins is a big loss but they have got Nicolas Jackson in to lead their line, and I think he's a good signing.
It took Villa six games to register their first league win last season, but they won't have to wait as long this time.
Jakirovic signs new Hull dealpublished at 19:22 BST 4 September
19:22 BST 4 September
Image source, Hull City
Hull City chairman Acun Ilicali says it is a "privilege" to have Serjej Jakirovic as head coach after the Tigers boss signed a new two-year contract.
Jakirovic, 49, is now under contract until the summer of 2028 with a club option for a further year and Ilicali said: "From the first day we met, it was clear that we had a special relationship. Everyone at the club believes that Sergej is a high-quality coach and it is a big privilege to have him here.
"He is the perfect coach for our vision and, having experienced last season together, we created some amazing moments at Wembley. I thank him for that.
"We are happy that Sergej is happy here. This is a special day for us, and we look forward to our journey continuing together in the Premier League."
Jakirovic, who has helped Hull to two wins from two games on their return to the top tier, said: "I have felt the support from the club and our fans from the minute I arrived, so I am delighted that this journey will continue. Hull feels like my home and I'm excited for this journey to continue.
"Promotion to the Premier League is a dream come true. You have to believe in your work and we have a special group here who are sticking together as a family. We have shown in our first games of the season that we can compete at this level and be dangerous.
"We will, of course, continue to work hard and perform in a way that makes our supporters proud."
Hull City v Aston Villa: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:03 BST 4 September
19:03 BST 4 September
Noel Sliney BBC Sport senior journalist
Promoted Hull City are vying to start a top-flight season with three straight wins for the first time. Opponents Aston Villa have never lost to a promoted side under Unai Emery but they are yet to muster a point, goal or shot on target this season.
Hull moving fast on and off the pitch
It has been a wild ride for Hull City's supporters since last year. From avoiding relegation to League One on goal difference to sneaking into the play-offs on the final day of the regular 2025-26 season and earning promotion with a stoppage-time winner, they are now sitting pretty in the Premier League with two wins from two and no goals conceded.
It's a rise that has come at a breakneck pace under head coach Sergej Jakirovic, with the club's manic summer recruitment a reflection of that. Eighteen players have been signed, six of them coming on Tuesday's deadline day. This was a club under a transfer embargo when the Bosnian arrived.
"It is my job now to find a good balance between new and old players," said Jakirovic, who could just as easily have been speaking for his counterpart Emery.
Two games is a tiny sample but the reshaped team has so far retained the direct and aggressive style which brought them success last season. Happy to sit deep, press with intensity and play on the counter-attack, Hull move the ball upfield quicker and in fewer passes than any other side in the Premier League this season.
Villans in need of new heroes
Three years and 10 months after he took charge at Aston Villa, this is finally Emery's squad. The club signed a player in every position this summer, with Emery at the fore in terms of identifying new recruits.
Seven of the starting XI in May's Europa League final were players inherited by the Spaniard. Some of that side ultimately viewed winning the club's first major trophy for 30 years as a natural end to their Villa careers. Others were sold to meet financial regulations and release the club early from the stranglehold of a multi-year settlement agreement with Uefa, imposed after breaching the European governing body's spending rules.
Emery admits the summer of upheaval, which included backroom staff, was far greater than planned. The players who have departed, either permanently or on loan, accounted for half of Villa's Premier League minutes in 2025-26, and 55% of their goals.
Crucially, Emery remains – and so, therefore, does optimism among the fanbase. That's despite Villa becoming the first team since QPR in 1977 to finish in the top four and then lose their opening two matches of the following season without scoring. They're in danger of becoming the first side on record not to register a shot on target after three Premier League games.
Clearly, it will take time to see the best of this new iteration of Aston Villa – eight of the 11 new faces have yet to start – but they recovered from a start last season of one point from five games, and no goals after four.
And Emery will not countenance the idea of a transitional season. "We must compete and win, rebuilding the team as fast as possible," he has asserted.
Joining Hull 'a no-brainer' - Herrington published at 18:54 BST 4 September
18:54 BST 4 September
Image source, Getty Images
New Hull signing Lucas Herrington says he is enjoying being part of a "really special" squad.
The 18-year-old defender has come on as a substitute in the Tigers' opening two Premier League fixtures since his move from from Colorado Rapids in August.
It has been a whirlwind few months for the youngster, who started Australia's final group game and round of 16 match at the World Cup, but missed the decisive spot-kick when they were beaten by Egypt on penalties.
Herrington told BBC Radio Humberside: "It's not every day you get an opportunity to play in the Premier League so when that opportunity came up it was very hard to turn down.
"I was buzzing. It's been an amazing experience over the past three weeks, it's been a great start to the season, so I'm very happy with my decision.
"There were a couple of options from in and around Europe but it's hard to turn down the Premier League. Once I heard that Hull were interested it was pretty much a no-brainer for me.
"The ambition from the club and where they want to get to - I saw their story last season and making it into the Premier League. Not many people backed them so I knew the playing group here was really special and I've experienced that in the first few weeks so it's been great."
Listen to the full chat with Herrington below or on BBC Sounds
'Very shrewd and sensible additions'published at 10:56 BST 4 September
10:56 BST 4 September
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Hull City's summer transfer business and whether you think they have done enough to retain their Premier League status.
Here are some of your comments:
Dave: Very shrewd and sensible additions from the recruitment team, who clearly have good insights and connections into the European marketplace. Good luck Tigers, whom I have supported since the early 1960s.
Andy: Hull City have signed some very interesting players - and undoubtedly will survive. Their organisation, especially defensively, is second to none.
Chris: Hull City have made an intelligent and focused investment. The owner and manager have learnt from Sunderland and brought young talent in to build a team that can stay up. That's what this lifelong fan is looking for this year. Up the Tigers!
Andy: Great window. Everyone seems to forget we had so many freebies and loan signings last season that we always needed a rebuild. With the injuries and Ivor Pandur and Liam Millar leaving we still retained most of the starters from last season. Also under-21 players don't count to the squad limits.
Oli: Signing an entire squad, and bench, worth of players for the same price of Elliot Anderson - plus bog roll - feels like a job well done for us.
McBurnie one of six players to extend Hull contractspublished at 19:22 BST 3 September
19:22 BST 3 September
Image source, Getty Images
Oli McBurnie, Matt Crooks and John Egan are among six players to agree contract extensions with Hull City.
McBurnie, who has scored 19 goals for the club since joining from Las Palmas last summer. has signed a new three-year contract, with the club holding the option of an additional year.
Crooks and Egan have each signed new two-year deals, with options to extend for an extra year.
Like McBurnie, defender Charlie Hughes, winger Mohamed Belloumi and midfielder Regan Slater have also signed new contracts until the summer of 2029, with a club option of a further year for all three.
McBurnie said: "I am delighted. I came here last year, and we had an amazing year as a team and as a club.
"When we spoke in the summer, it was quite an easy deal to get done and it was a no-brainer on my side. Me and my family are so settled here and my kids love being back home as well as my fiancé, so it was a no-brainer for me and ready to attack this year. It genuinely was an easy decision for me.
"I can honestly say it is a place that I would like to finish my career here."
Crooks said: "It's great (to sign a new deal). There was more push from me than there was from the club to be fair!
"I have had a great time here so far. "We're a real tight-knit group and we've had more additions this year, but we still have a good core and the new additions have been great so far. From my side of things, it was a no-brainer!"
Republic of Ireland international Egan said: "I'm really enjoying my football here. Ever since I came to the club, I've really enjoyed it. I'm delighted to sign a new contract and I'm looking forward to the future."
Jakirovic on transfer window, new contract and strong start published at 14:34 BST 3 September
14:34 BST 3 September
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at MKM Stadium (kick-off 17:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On the transfer window, Jakirovic said: "Finally finished, thank God! Now we can concentrate on our job." He added: "I am pleased because we have worked very hard this last two months, a lot of calls, a lot of negotiations with players. We always had our plan to bring quality that we can improve our team but don't forget also we lost 12 players from last season, so we needed these players."
The City boss says the number of players he has to work with is "excellent because we have good competition". He also emphasised the importance of his players who finish the game, as well as those who start.
Jakirovic confirmed he will sign a new contract "very soon" and said it was an "easy decision".
On their transfer strategy, Jakirovic added: "We had our shortlist but you know in this business it's always something new. It's coming to us, especially after two victories on the start of the season. They start to call us, agents and the players. Always we are trying to bring better players because this is everything about quality. If it's a similar player [as] we have in the building then what's the point? We try to improve, add quality."
On Liam Millar's loan move to Birmingham, the City boss said: "This is football business. I'm very sorry because Liam left the club." He also explained they have three players who can play in that position.
Jakirovic says their "team spirit is very high", which he says is important "also for these new players as soon as possible that we have this unity in the team". He added: "This is why players from last season are extremely important because they know this feeling and I hope these new players will fit in the group as soon as possible."
The City boss admits it's "a great start in the league for us" but says they are "always looking forward". He added: "We have now a new game, a new challenge against Aston Villa. Always we will try to take something from this game and hopefully we will be successful."
A record-breaking transfer windowpublished at 07:01 BST 3 September
07:01 BST 3 September
Steve Sutcliffe, Emlyn Begley and Gary Rose BBC Sport journalists
Media caption,
Premier League clubs have broke their all-time summer transfer record with spending reaching £3.49bn.
A total of £506.5m was spent on deadline day itself, up from £391m last year.
The total amount spent during the window considerably dwarfs the £1.13bn spent by clubs just five years ago and underlines the power top English clubs have to attract talent, according to figures provided to BBC Sport by Paul Macdonald, founder of FootballTransfers.com.
Three of the 10 most expensive signings in the history of football have happened this summer – with all of them being Premier League signings. In fact, this summer window featured four of the top flight's five most expensive ever deals.
So maybe it is not surprising then that of the 20 most expensive transfers completed, only six were not to clubs in the English top flight.
Indeed, newly-promoted Ipswich have spent more on new signings than the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and reigning European champions PSG.
Premier League clubs as a whole were willing to dip deep into their pockets this summer, as 11 of the 20 clubs broke their transfer records, six of them on more than one occasion.
Coventry, promoted to the Premier League alongside Ipswich and Hull, have done so four times over.
Transfer round-up: Have the Tigers done enough?published at 15:46 BST 2 September
15:46 BST 2 September
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City have all invested significantly this summer in their respective bids to retain their Premier League status.
The three clubs have spent a combined total of about £400m, with Ipswich breaking Sunderland's £160m record for the most money spent by a newly promoted club in the Premier League by £11m.
But it is the Tigers that have been the most active during the summer transfer window, signing 18 players in this window - six of them arriving on deadline day.
Their total expenditure is about £150m, which is more than Burnley and Leeds United spent last summer and significantly more than Ipswich and Southampton spent in the 2024-25 campaign.
In fact, only Aston Villa (2019-2020), Nottingham Forest (2022-23), Sunderland (2025-26) and Ipswich (this summer) have spent more in Premier League history.
Hull, like Ipswich and Coventry, broke their transfer record fee four times in this window alone, with Senegal defender Nobel Mendy now holding the club record after signing for £21m from Rayo Vallecano.
But breaking club records was common across the Premier League, with 11 of the 20 clubs doing so this summer - six of them on more than one occasion.
Ilicali explains Hull's 18-signing transfer strategypublished at 13:07 BST 2 September
13:07 BST 2 September
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City certainly kept their fans busy waiting for the latest transfer news late into deadline day, with a flurry of activity as the clock ticked down.
Club owner Acun Ilicali joined BBC Radio Humberside to share some insight on their summer transfer business.
"My aim this year was the player on the pitch that has to make us excited, that is my rule now," he explained.
"I managed this last year and it happened and we were promoted, and this year the same has happened."
He also said the club's preference was to strengthen two positions rather than make one exceptionally strong, adding that "one mistake can spoil everything".
And, after all the talk of calculations, Ilicali joked: "I was the first in mathematics in my high school, but you can't call me an expert at the moment."
Defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy also arrived on a five-year deal from Genoa, with Cody Drameh moving in the opposite direction. Roma forward Robinio Vaz joined on a season-long loan, with Hull holding an option to buy the striker at the end of the season.
The Tigers also completed the reported £7m signing of winger Sorba Thomas from Stoke City and added Greece midfielder Christos Mouzakitis from Olympiacos on a five-year deal.
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'I'm excited to get started' - Iroegbunam seals Hull switchpublished at 22:39 BST 1 September
22:39 BST 1 September
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City have announced the signing of Tim Iroegbunam on a permanent deal from Everton on a five-year deal.
The midfielder joins for an undisclosed fee and says he is "excited" about the opportunity to join the Premier League newcomers.
"I'm very happy. From the first moment I heard about the opportunity to come and join this club, I was excited," the 23-year-old said. "Now, it's finally done. It's taken a long time but I'm excited to get started.
"Quite early on in pre-season, I heard about the interest. I was just waiting around, then I got injured. I thought it might have been off the cards, but I managed to recover and get right.
"I spoke to the owner and he explained everything about the club. I'm close with 'Gilo' [Ryan Giles] – you could call him 'Agent Gilo' because he said a lot of things that made me want to come.
"I've been around different changing rooms and hopefully I can bring [Premier League] experience on and off the pitch.
"I like to get on the ball and drive the team forward. I like to get involved with big tackles, be aggressive, be on the front foot and show loads of energy.
"The stadium is beautiful – I've played here once before. I want to hopefully help this team push and finish as high as we can."
Iroegbunam has made 60 appearances in the Premier League – 48 for Everton and 12 for his previous club Aston Villa.
Image source, Getty Images
