Belloumi Hits Bar as Hull and Aston Villa Finish Goalless

Hull City remained unbeaten in the Premier League after a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at the MKM Stadium on Saturday. The result gave the promoted side seven points from their opening three matches and extended their run of clean sheets to three. The Guardian reported that Hull came closest to breaking the deadlock when Mohamed Belloumi hit the crossbar during the second half.

Watch the highlights:

Villa threatened almost immediately, with Nicolas Jackson heading Ian Maatsen's cross wide inside the opening two minutes. Hull soon settled, and Belloumi created danger on the right after beating Ross Barkley and sending a low ball into the area. Villa's George Hemmings then registered the visitors' only shot on target in the 13th minute, but goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis made a comfortable save.

The visitors had clearer opportunities after the interval. John McGinn lifted an effort over the bar from inside 12 yards in the 50th minute. Three minutes later, Hemmings reached the left side ahead of Hull captain Lewie Coyle and cut the ball back for Emiliano Buendia, who fired over. Those misses prolonged Villa's wait for a league goal through the first three matches of the season.

Hull produced the game's most dangerous attempt in the 65th minute. After receiving the ball from a short corner, Belloumi curled a left-footed shot against the bar. The hosts also pressed for a late winner, with substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho having a close-range effort stopped by Zion Suzuki before Oli McBurnie failed to make clean contact with Ryan Giles's cross.

Villa had a late opening of their own when Tyrone Mings found room to shoot, but Lucas Herrington blocked the attempt on his 19th birthday. Neither team found a finishing touch, leaving Hull with another point after victories over Manchester United and Coventry in their first two league fixtures. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have yet to score this season after earlier defeats by Brighton and Arsenal.

Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic, who signed a two-year contract extension on Friday, said his team could have won but accepted the value of seven points and another clean sheet. Villa manager Unai Emery said the result was insufficient and acknowledged that his side must improve its finishing while rebuilding following significant summer changes. Both assessments were reported by The Guardian in its match coverage.