Aston Villa left the MKM Stadium with their first Premier League point of the season, yet manager Unai Emery must be frustrated after his side wasted a series of clear-cut opportunities in a goalless draw against Hull City.

The occasion marked Emery's 200th match at the helm of the Villans, and an encouraging opening offered promise. Nicolas Jackson headed wide inside the first two minutes, before teenager George Hemmings registered the club's first shot on target of the entire campaign — a milestone that underlines the attacking struggles Villa have endured so far.

Glorious chances go begging

The reigning Europa League champions rarely threatened the newly promoted Tigers in the first half, with Hull's cluster of long-range efforts making them the more dangerous side before the break.

That changed sharply at the start of the second half. Emi Buendia and Jackson combined to carve open the Hull defence, leaving John McGinn clean through on goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis — only for the Scot to fire his shot well over the bar. Three minutes later, Buendia himself was found completely unmarked inside the penalty area but could not keep his effort on target. Two opportunities, zero goals.

Hull grew into the half and came agonisingly close to a winner. Mohamed Belloumi's curling strike cannoned off the crossbar shortly after the 60th minute, and then, in the dying moments, Ryan Giles picked out Oli McBurnie inside the box. With a first Premier League goal seemingly inevitable, McBurnie failed to connect cleanly and the moment passed.

An unfathomable start for Hull

For Hull, the draw extended their unbeaten run to three matches — three consecutive clean sheets in what many predicted would be a desperate relegation battle. Manager Sergej Jakirovic could barely contain his delight.