Hull City's hopes of celebrating Premier League survival were made to wait for at least another day after Steve Bruce's men timidly surrendered to a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
The Tigers had few answers to a powerful first-half display from their hosts once Ashley Westwood opened the scoring after just 57 seconds.
Liam Rosenior's low cross was turned in by Jordan Bowery to give City parity and fleeting hope of the point that would confirm another season in the top-flight, but two goals inside four minutes from Andreas Weimann snatched that away before the break.
The Tigers offered few signs of a fight-back in a bland second period and Steve Bruce's men must now hope Norwich fail to win at Chelsea tomorrow.
Anything less than a victory for the Canaries at Stamford Bridge would finally secure safety ahead of City's trip to Manchester United on Tuesday and allow the focus to turn towards a FA Cup final with Arsenal in a fortnight.![Rosenior]()
Hull City celebrate the equaliser.
City had travelled to the West Midlands knowing a point would effectively grant them Premier League survival. Bruce made just one alteration to the team that drew 2-2 at Fulham, with Maynor Figueroa replacing Alex Bruce to allow a switch back to 4-4-2. Villa, whose run of six games without a win had them peering over their shoulders, made two changes with Ciaran Clark and Matthew Lowton coming into a side that dared not lose their final home game of the season. Cause for anxiety was understandable but Villa's nerves were settled inside a minute. Gabby Agbonlahor's burst took him beyond Liam Rosenior and through the challenge of Curtis Davies, ending with a low centre. Marc Albrighton swung and missed inside the box but the ball found its way to Westwood, who finished calmly past Steve Harper. The early opener was just the tonic for Villa and Paul Lambert's men refused to let City settle. Little was going right for the Tigers inside the opening stages and a switch to 3-5-2, matching their hosts, was a clear attempt to turn the tide. City had barely troubled the Villa defence but found themselves level thanks to a slice of fortune after 28 minutes. Tom Huddlestone's quick free-kick found Liam Rosenior in an offside position and unmarked in the left channel, and when he crossed low into the back-tracking defenders, sub Bowery turned into his own net. City were briefly the team with tails up and Brad Guzan had to be strong to keep out Huddlestone's crisp drive from distance. The home fans threatened to turn on their side but Villa responded with a strong finish to the half to swing the pendulum back in their favour. Harper was required to keep out both Weimann and Bowery before the home side retook the lead four minutes before the break. Nathan Baker's first header was cleared off the line and his second turned on to the bar but Weimann was on hand to nod in at the third time of asking. City had been warned.![harper1]()
Aston Villa's Andreas Weimann (partially hidden, background right) scores his side's second goal.
Although the first half had been disappointing enough, there was still time for it to get worse. Bowery was allowed to cross from the left and Weimann stole a march on both substitute Alex Bruce and Curtis Davies to send a downward header past Harper. The goal summed up City's half: lethargic, uncertain and second best. Villa were not satisfied to protect their lead early in the second period. Bowery ran at the vulnerable Figueroa and tested Harper low to his left, while Albrighton shot over. There was a big chance for Nikica Jelavic as he scuffed inside the penalty area with the goal begging, before Harper kept his side alive by tipping over Bowery's shot. The closing stages were played out with little enthusiasm from either side, leaving both sides awaiting the result of Norwich's trip to Chelsea to banish the last threat of relegation. City will know much more will be needed if they are to be celebrating at Wembley in a fortnight.![harper1]()
Weimann scores the third past the diving Steve Harper.
Aston Villa: Brad Guzan, Matthew Lowton, Ciaran Clark, Ron Vlaar, Nathan Baker, Ryan Bertrand, Ashley Westwood, Fabian Delph, Marc Albrighton (Karim El Ahmadi 76), Andreas Weimann (Leandro Bacuna 81), Gabby Agbonlahor (Jordan Bowery 24). Subs not used: Jed Steer, Yacouba Sylla, Grant Holt, Callum Robinson.Hull City: Steve Harper, Liam Rosenior, James Chester (Alex Bruce 43), Curtis Davies, Maynor Figueroa, Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore, David Meyler (Stephen Quinn 46), Shane Long, Nikica Jelavic (Yannick Sagbo 70).Subs not used: Eldin Jakupovic, Robert Koren, Matty Fryatt, George Boyd.
Hull City celebrate the equaliser.City had travelled to the West Midlands knowing a point would effectively grant them Premier League survival. Bruce made just one alteration to the team that drew 2-2 at Fulham, with Maynor Figueroa replacing Alex Bruce to allow a switch back to 4-4-2. Villa, whose run of six games without a win had them peering over their shoulders, made two changes with Ciaran Clark and Matthew Lowton coming into a side that dared not lose their final home game of the season. Cause for anxiety was understandable but Villa's nerves were settled inside a minute. Gabby Agbonlahor's burst took him beyond Liam Rosenior and through the challenge of Curtis Davies, ending with a low centre. Marc Albrighton swung and missed inside the box but the ball found its way to Westwood, who finished calmly past Steve Harper. The early opener was just the tonic for Villa and Paul Lambert's men refused to let City settle. Little was going right for the Tigers inside the opening stages and a switch to 3-5-2, matching their hosts, was a clear attempt to turn the tide. City had barely troubled the Villa defence but found themselves level thanks to a slice of fortune after 28 minutes. Tom Huddlestone's quick free-kick found Liam Rosenior in an offside position and unmarked in the left channel, and when he crossed low into the back-tracking defenders, sub Bowery turned into his own net. City were briefly the team with tails up and Brad Guzan had to be strong to keep out Huddlestone's crisp drive from distance. The home fans threatened to turn on their side but Villa responded with a strong finish to the half to swing the pendulum back in their favour. Harper was required to keep out both Weimann and Bowery before the home side retook the lead four minutes before the break. Nathan Baker's first header was cleared off the line and his second turned on to the bar but Weimann was on hand to nod in at the third time of asking. City had been warned.
Aston Villa's Andreas Weimann (partially hidden, background right) scores his side's second goal.Although the first half had been disappointing enough, there was still time for it to get worse. Bowery was allowed to cross from the left and Weimann stole a march on both substitute Alex Bruce and Curtis Davies to send a downward header past Harper. The goal summed up City's half: lethargic, uncertain and second best. Villa were not satisfied to protect their lead early in the second period. Bowery ran at the vulnerable Figueroa and tested Harper low to his left, while Albrighton shot over. There was a big chance for Nikica Jelavic as he scuffed inside the penalty area with the goal begging, before Harper kept his side alive by tipping over Bowery's shot. The closing stages were played out with little enthusiasm from either side, leaving both sides awaiting the result of Norwich's trip to Chelsea to banish the last threat of relegation. City will know much more will be needed if they are to be celebrating at Wembley in a fortnight.
Weimann scores the third past the diving Steve Harper.Aston Villa: Brad Guzan, Matthew Lowton, Ciaran Clark, Ron Vlaar, Nathan Baker, Ryan Bertrand, Ashley Westwood, Fabian Delph, Marc Albrighton (Karim El Ahmadi 76), Andreas Weimann (Leandro Bacuna 81), Gabby Agbonlahor (Jordan Bowery 24). Subs not used: Jed Steer, Yacouba Sylla, Grant Holt, Callum Robinson.Hull City: Steve Harper, Liam Rosenior, James Chester (Alex Bruce 43), Curtis Davies, Maynor Figueroa, Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore, David Meyler (Stephen Quinn 46), Shane Long, Nikica Jelavic (Yannick Sagbo 70).Subs not used: Eldin Jakupovic, Robert Koren, Matty Fryatt, George Boyd.
