Aston Villa team news
Aston Villa have two worrying injury concerns at the back as they look to preserve their tight-knit defence against the Tigers.
Captain Ron Vlaar and Aly Cissokho are struggling with knee and ankle problems respectively, and missed Villa's Capital One Cup exit at the hands of Leyton Orient in midweek.
However, the pair are hoping to pull through to make tomorrow's Premier League clash.
Should they not make it, Nathan Baker will fit in at centre-half and Kieran Richardson will replace the Frenchman.
In-form pair Philippe Senderos and Alan Hutton will keep their places, but one player who won't be risked is Jores Okore.
The centre-back has a problem with his knee and Paul Lambert isn't keen on taking a chance with the Danish international.
Lambert could give Carlos Sanchez his first start in a Villa shirt after the £4m man impressed in the Orient cup tie.
Aston Villa XI to face Hull City: Guzan; Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar, Cissokho; Weiman, Delph, Westwood, Sanchez, Richardson; Agbonlahor.Aston Villa form guide
Few expected Villa to take four points from six at Stoke and at home to Newcastle. And with an impressive record of seven wins and two draws in the last nine meetings with City, Villa will be confident of building on that solid start.
Having won just six home matches last season, however, Villa will have to be more difficult to beat in front of their own fans if they are not to endure another lacklustre season.
The home hoodoo struck again in mid-week when they were dumped out of the Capital One Cup by Leyton Orient.Paul Lambert made seven changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Newcastle at Villa Park at the weekend, but Romain Vincelot's header was enough to send the League One side through as Villa were left to rue several missed chances.
Key clash: Gabby Agbonlahor v Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies has a point to prove on his return to Villa Park, when he will hope to keep a tight leash on Gabby Agbonlahor.
The 27-year-old frontman lasted only 24 minutes of Villa's 3-1 win over City at the end of April, but played a pivotal role in Villa's opening goal by running over Davies before supplying the cross for Ashley Westwood to fire home.
Agbonlahor hurt himself in the move and limped off, but it was a half to forget for Davies and co.
This time around, Davies won't be happy unless he walks off with a clean sheet and, ideally, a win to keep the Tigers unbeaten in the league.Gareth Westmorland's preview: Tigers must wise up
Hull City cannot allow sloppiness to creep into their game, if they want to come away from Villa Park with a result.
Too many times against Lokeren a ball went to waste, and ultimately defensive errors allowed the Belgians to win the tie on away goals.
Although Bruce will send out a much-changed eleven to face a stern Villa test, he will demand a vast improvement from those players in whom he has placed so much trust over the past 12 months.
The likes of David Meyler and Liam Rosenior failed to bring their A-game on Thursday and I would expect them to drop to the bench.
Bruce made half-a-dozen changes on Thursday and I'd expect roughly the same number again tomorrow. Tom Huddlestone will return to offer stability in midfield, while Nikica Jelavic, a bright spark from the bench against Lokeren, should lead the line against Paul Lambert's men.Frankly, Sone Aluko and the red-carded Yannick Sagbo were all too wasteful on Thursday and it would be a surprise to see that particular strike partnership tried in the Premier League.
City can certainly not afford to be shy in front of goal against Villa, whose tight defence has yet to concede a goal in the Premier League. The plaudits have to be handed to former Tigers loan star Brad Guzan, who has been something of a brick wall between the posts in the early stages of this campaign, having made several key stops in the goalless draw with Newcastle.
Both sides are sitting comfortably on four points, and City will feel this is a fixture from which they should be targeting at least a point, if they are to make progress in the Premier League this season.
The 'P' word is on the lips of everybody in the City camp and with that in mind, the Tigers should go to Villa Park full of confidence and take the game to the home team.
The game, for me, will be won down the wings. Ahmed Elmohamady always proves a handful in Black and Amber, and if he can get the better of Villa captain Ron Vlaar and Aly Cissokho, who are struggling with knee and ankle injuries respectively, then City can look forward to a fruitful afternoon and all three points.
