RESULT
Hull 0-1 Aston Villa

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

By Caroline Cheese

2204: Many, many thanks for all your contributions tonight. You've certainly been a whole lot more entertaining than either Hull or Aston Villa could manage. Even Steve Bennett clearly got bored with the lack of incidents. I shall see you in 2009 for FA Cup third-round day... ah the magic etc etc.

2159: It all means that Aston Villa move back up to fourth, three points ahead of Arsenal and behind Manchester United on goal difference. Hull stay eighth but they are only seven points above the drop zone and are now on a run of three straight defeats.

2155: A catastrophically dull game finally comes to life in the last few minutes. We'll here more about that penalty that wasn't, but basically the right decision was made in the end. It's probably just as well, because Martin O'Neill was in severe danger of actually exploding. Steve Bennett has had a bit of a nightmare today.

2154: FULL-TIME Hull 0-1 Aston Villa

2152: Massive controversy. Hull win a corner and a header loops towards goal. Ashley Young leaps with his arms in the air on the line and Steve Bennett gives a penalty. Villa's players complain vociferously as the Hull fans make their feelings known. Bennett goes to speak to his linesman and then points to a goal-kick. Replays show the ball hit the bar - not an arm. Phew.

2150: We're a minute into three of added time. Well done Villa, but I feel very sorry for Hull. Their supporters look desolate.

2146: GOAL Hull 0-1 Aston Villa
Ashley Young turns in a flash and delivers a stunning cross from the right. Kamil Zayatte gets in ahead of Gabby Agbonlahor at the near post but can only divert the ball into his own net. Another late show from Villa - absolute heartbreak for Hull.

2144: And finally a change for Villa. Craig Gardner on, Steve Sidwell off.

2143: Another change by Phil Brown. Bryan Hughes replaces Nicky Barmby. We were just trying to remember if either keeper had made a save in this game...

2140: Sam Ricketts delivers a lovely cross from the left which Zat Knight manages to flick over the head of the onrushing Nicky Barmby. Ten minutes remaining and it's all Hull at the moment.

2138: Villa are passing the ball around idly at the back when Zat Knight decides to put it straight out of play. Absolutely awful.

2135: Another driving run from Bernard Mendy down the right and after winning the corner, he urges the home fans to up the noise levels. Michael Turner heads the corner kick back across goal but Curtis Davies gets his head to it first.

2131: Steve Bennett misses the most obvious handball I have seen in quite some time. Marlon King pretty much plays a bit of basketball as he tries to control the ball, but Bennett is blind to it. No wonder the players are a little frustrated with him.

2128: Zat Knight and Nicky Barmby exchange some angry words as they jog back to the halfway line. Barmby would do well to back out of that one, he's giving away about a foot. Meanwhile, Marlon King comes on to replace the much-maligned Daniel Cousin.

2126: I'm thinking of another question to ask you lot. Premier League 2008 seems to be very much going out with a whimper...

2125: "Re 2116: you mean the same Cousin who scored against Arsenal?"
Anon via text on 81111

2123: Hull are growing in belief. Michael Turner puts in a lung-busting run into the box but the ball is a little too far in front of him and he's falling as he shoots over.

2122: "This game defo isn't the highlight of 2008."
Glen in Yorkshire, via text on 811111

2118: Steve Bennett has had quite enough of the back chat and Stiliyan Petrov goes into the book for complaining about his failure to win a corner. Replays show Petrov had every right to be annoyed. A moment later, Hull get the ball out to Peter Halmosi, but his shot is blocked.

2117: This is heating up now. Gareth Barry is absolutely incensed after failing to win a free-kick for Paul McShane's challenge and has to be spoken to by the ref. Then Bernard Mendy and Curtis Davies tangle in the box and that threatens to boil over.

2116: "On the basis of today's performance, Daniel Cousin is not good enough for even League Two. I have no clue why Brown can't see what is so blinking obvious..."
Chip it like Vela on 606
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2112: Hull seem to be showing a bit more adventure in this half, their full-backs driving forward with intent. Villa still a bit quiet.

2109: All Hull's good attacking work seems to be coming through Bernard Mendy. He is flattened by Gareth Barry on the right and Steve Bennett flashes the yellow.

2107: "My highlight of the year was: 24th May 2008, Wembley Stadium and a certain wonder goal by Dean Windass."
Ryan in Hull, via text on 81111

2104: No changes at half-time. Let's hope there's a change in the entertainment levels.

2100: "My highlight of the year is watching my team (Stockport) beating Rochdale 3-2 at Wembley in the League Two play-off final. Brilliant game of football, and an amazing feeling to know that you have just been promoted. Wouldn't have missed it for the world!"
scfcadam on 606
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2056: Let's see what the all-knowing Player Rater has to say about that half. Ashley Young, for no particular reason that I can think of, is the man of the first 45 with 7.06, nudging ahead of Gabby Agbonlahor. Paul McShane (5.14) hasn't won many friends. Still, you can change all that...
Hull v Aston Villa Player Rater

2050: Hull's tea lady will be called into action as both teams disappear down the tunnel. Bit of a dull first half. It's my fault. I made the fatal error of tipping it to be a decent game.

2048: HALF-TIME Hull 0-0 Aston Villa

2047: A rare moment of entertainment as Villa defender Zat Knight miskicks horribly to concede a needless corner. Hull clear, but the ball comes back in and Brad Friedel again drops it, this time under pressure from Kamil Zayatte. Free-kick to Villa.

2045: "Highlight: Hereford beating Brentford to get promoted to League One. Graham Turner should be knighted."
Paul in St Albans, via text on 81111

2042: Watch out Kamil Zayatte. The Hull defender, already booked for a trip on Gabby Agbonlahor, this time barges into the Villa striker as he looks to make inroads down the right. Steve Bennett gives him a stern talking-to and leaves it at that.

2041: Daniel Cousin, not the quickest is he? Not for the first time, the ball comes to the Hull striker and everything seems to go in slow motion. He does find the overlapping Sam Ricketts on the left but the cross is blocked.

2037: Zat Knight punches the air in frustration as he is penalised for a challenge on Daniel Cousin near the halfway line. Oooh, he's furious. From the free-kick, Curtis Davies is forced to head behind - and actually isn't far away from a spectacular own goal.

2032: Quality lacking at the KC. Villa having most of the possession now. Hull already look like they'd be happy with a point.

2029: "Ledley King lifting the Carling Cup to 50,000 Spurs fans in February. Seems years ago now..."
Jes, Reigate, via text on 81111

2028: "Highlight: The Fulham great escape. 2-0 down against Man City and mathematically relegated at half time, then coming back with three goals to win and then keep our place in the premier league. Magic..."
The Lone Cottager on 606
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2027: Hull defender Kamil Zayatte trips Gabby Agbonlahor to win the first yellow card of the day.

2026: "A particular highlight for me has to be the parachutist getting stuck on the roof at Turf Moor on the opening day of the season, causing kick off to be delayed. Hilarious, especially to a Rovers fan!"
Matt, Blackburn, via text on 81111

2022: Ashley Young collides with a Hull defender after laying the ball off and he stays down for a while. He hobbles off for more treatment, holding his back. He's back on now though.

2021: "2008 got off to the an amazing start for me and my club, Oldham Athletic. On New Years Day, we were the first club to beat Leeds at Elland Rd that season and a couple of days later we beat Everton at Goodison Park in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. For a couple of weeks it felt like we were in the Premier League again."
oldhamfan82 on 606
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2018: Much better from Hull. Bernard Mendy turns his man and then the ball finds its way to Daniel Cousin, who holds off Zat Knight and crosses into the area. Villa scramble the ball away but a moment later Mendy is chasing down the right again - but there's no one on the end of his dangerous delivery across the six-yard box.

2016: I think Phil Brown might have hit the sales. He's got rid of the leather jacket and gone for a long black raincoat and a rather snazzy scarf. Anyway, back to the football. Well, I would get back to the football but there's not an awful lot happening...

2015: "Highlight: Liverpool being top of the league at Christmas for the first time in my lifetime."
Dills, Cardiff, via text on 81111

2012: Ashley Young's persistence down the left wins a corner. Paul McShane heads behind to give Villa another corner from which Gareth Barry has a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box. But it's on his right foot so...

2008: "Croatia 1-4 England is up there with the rest. Epic game."
Muambananas on 606
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2006: Nicky Barmby challenges Brad Friedel in the air and the ball bounces out of the keeper's hands, with the veteran prodding home the rebound. Big cheer from the home fans, but Barmby was never going to get away with that.

2005: Lively start by both sides, particularly Hull who are no doubt keen to impress after the Manchester City drubbing.

2001: And we're off. Looks darn cold in Hull.

2001: "My highlight of 2008 as a Rangers fan definitely our run to the Uefa Cup final. Although we didn't win, what a run. I loved every minute."
David, Glasgow, via text on 81111

1956: Keep your highlights coming, but we'll shortly be taking in some action from the KC Stadium which will interrupt things a touch. Feels like it might be quite a crucial night for Hull. The wheels are far from falling off, but Phil Brown's side certainly seem to have hit a sticky patch.

1953: "My highlight has to be our keeper scoring an injury time header to get us into the cup final! Pub cup, sure, but it was still glorious!"
Anon via text on 81111

1951: "My 2008 moment was Robinho signing for Man City. Who would have thought the samba superstar would be plying his trade at the Eastlands! Bring on the January sales!"
Maverick 1875 via text on 81111

1948: "I have to say Pompey winning the FA Cup has to be my highlight of 2008, if not, my life! No-one thought it could happen, United losing to a dodgy decision, but it did and we are deservedly Cup holders!!"
Nadir Belhadj's translator on 606
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1945: "My footballing moment was when a balloon popped in the dug out behind Fergie, who then jumped in his chair, spoke some French and the bench had a good chuckle."
Riaanf31 via text on 81111

1943: "John Terry's name may be popping up a lot, but for me, it was Ryan Giggs' penalty - which won Man United the Champions League!"
Chelsea put me to sleep on 606
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1941: "The first half against Manchester City hurt our boys. Hopefully that hurt will show itself tonight. All I'm after is a competitive edge to our game. I was always going to make changes tonight because of the close proximity of the two games. We need energy tonight."
Hull boss Phil Brown

1937: John Terry's name seems to be cropping up a lot in your highlights of 2008. I can't imagine why...

1935: "2008's best footballing moment? Messi's goal for Barcelona against Getafe. Diego who?"
Reddevil1288 on 606
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1933: "My football highlight of 2008 was Steve McClaren showing he's fluent in two languages: English and English with a Dutch accent. Funniest interview ever."
Wicky via text on 81111

1930: The last team news of 2008 looks like this: Hull boss Phil Brown rings the changes after the Boxing Day 5-1 defeat by Man City, dropping Marlon King, Geovanni, George Boateng and Dean Windass. Sam Ricketts is fit to return to the defence and is joined in the line-up by Richard Garcia, Nicky Barmby and Peter Halmosi. Aston Villa are, quite simply, unchanged from the team that drew 2-2 with Arsenal.

1927: TEAMS Hull v Aston Villa
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Mendy, Garcia, Ashbee, Halmosi, Barmby, Cousin. Subs: Duke, Doyle, Fagan, Geovanni, Hughes, King, Giannakopoulos.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner, Osbourne.

1925: "I'm a big Hull fan and after watching the Man City game, we need a good performance tonight and at least a point. Come on Tigers!"
Anon via text on 81111

1922: "My highlight of the year has got to be Russia (where I'm originally from) beating the Dutch in Euro 2008. As a Gunner, 2008 has been pretty lousy..."
alex_the_gooner on 606
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1919: Simple question for you today: what's been your football highlight of 2008? Let me know with a text to 81111 or with a post on 606. Mine will almost certainly be Euro 2008-related, and probably involve Fatih 'The Emperor' Terim. My lowlight is the big man not getting a Premier League job. Please make it happen in 2009. Please.
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1915: Hello you. Premier League 2008 goes out with a great big bang tonight (I really, really hope) as Hull take on top four wannabes Aston Villa.

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