AdminSergej Jakirovic has joked that the pressure will now be on him to emulate Unai Emery after Hull City collected seven points from their opening three games.
The Tigers played their part in an entertaining 0-0 draw on Saturday evening, earning a valuable point while also securing their first clean sheet of the season.
Both sides had opportunities to take all three points. Aston Villa’s John McGinn and Emi Buendia were unable to convert promising openings, while Hull also threatened through Mohamed-Ali Cho and Oli McBurnie.
Ultimately, both managers had to settle for a share of the spoils. While Villa will be looking to climb the table, Hull currently sit second after three matches, prompting questions about Jakirovic’s ambitions for the campaign.
“Maybe expectations to fight for the Champions League places! Of course we know our goal is to stay in the league as soon as possible, collect the points.
I don’t know the magic [number] of these point, I think, 40, around 38, 41, so as soon as possible to get these points.”
Villa are already preparing for another Champions League campaign under Emery, who has guided them back to Europe’s elite competition.
Jakirovic was satisfied with Hull’s performance and the result.
“I’m realistic, so I think this is a realistic result. We gave everything there.
“They had good chances, good, clear chances, we had also so maybe in the end we could win the game but I won’t be ungrateful. This is a great result for us, seven points, three games, a clean sheet, and let’s move on.
“I know the core of the team, this is Championship players, so of course we bought players so we can put some quality there.
“Also the big problem for me is who didn’t have a preseason. This is a very big problem, but for example next Tuesday [Carabao Cup vs Sunderland] we will use this game to increase those minutes and at the end of the day they will get a new chance.”
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