Analysis: Emery's side lack cutting edge

[Getty Images] Aston Villa arrived at MKM Stadium still searching for their first shot on target, goal and point of the season - against a defence who were yet to concede this season. So it was perhaps no surprise that Unai Emery's side were unable to find a way past them - but with some better finishing up front, three points could have been theirs. Nicolas Jackson's movement caused problems for the Hull backline and Villa created enough openings while generating an expected goals (xG) of 1.74, compared to Hull's xG of 0.58. Yet they still lacked the cutting edge Ollie Watkins would have provided in the past seasons. The striker's departure to Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in the final week of the transfer window was always going to leave a void and Villa continue to search for a new identity after the arrival of a host of new names. They broke their transfer record twice to sign forward Johan Manzambi and Jackson while also buying Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris St-Germain for £47m on the deadline day. Manzambi is yet to feature because of injury while Mbaye was an unused substitute on Saturday. Villa will regret not capitalising on a good first hour - summed up by Emiliano Buendia's gilt-edged chance in the 54th minute when Zion Suzuki's superb 70-yard pass released George Hemmings, who cut the ball back for the Argentine to blaze over. In the end, Emery's side were fortunate to escape with a point as Hull finished strongly and went closest to finding a winner. And early signs are that Emery's new-look Villa will need time to reach the levels that took them to a fourth-placed finish and Europa League triumph last season.