The Tigers' four-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

City conceded twice in the first half and, to make things much worse, also lost Jimmy Bullard to injury before John Carew scored from the penalty spot on a bad afternoon at Villa Park.

Phil Brown made just one change to the side that started against Manchester City last weekend as George Boateng came in for Geovanni, who dropped to the bench.

The former Villa man was employed in a midfield defensive role in front of the back four with Jozy Altidore employed as a lone striker. 

Craig Fagan returned from injury to take a place amongst the substitutes.

Villa attacked from the kick-off and should have been ahead after just 23 seconds as Luke Young went past Kamil Zayatte in the box, but he dragged a shot across the face of goal.

The home side had another glorious chance in the seventh minute when Emile Heskey was played through on goal, but he somehow managed to miss the target.

Anthony Gardner produced a vital interception and Matt Duke tipped a deflected cross over the bar as the home side continued to dominate and it was no suprise when they took the lead on 13 minutes.

Some schoolboy defending allowed James Milner to pick out the unmarked Richard Dunne in the box and he smashed the ball into the net via the underside of the bar.

Bullard needed treatment moments later following an awkward fall and although he tried to carry on, that proved to be the end of his afternoon and he was replaced by Fagan.

Although the injury wasn't to the right knee which has sidelined Jimmy for much of the last couple of years, the Tigers will have an anxious days before the full extent of the damage to his left knee is revealed.

City's first real attack brought them a corner on 22 minutes.

Stephen Hunt produced a good delivery, but Gardner headed over.

It was 2-0 to Villa on 29 minutes.

Duke came out of his area to meet a long ball and put it out for a throw in.

With the keeper out of position, Villa took a quick throw to Milner and he produced an inch-perfect lob to double his side's lead.

Dean Marney was booked three minutes later for a foul on Stephen Warnock.

Villa went close to a third when Stewart Downing was given time and space in the middle of the park, but his shot went just over.

City then won a free kick when Richard Garcia was fouled by Carlos Cuellar, who was booked, but Hunt's delivery was a shocker and failed to beat the first defender.

Zayatte came close to putting one in his own net in his attempts to defend a free kick during added time, but Duke saved him by tipping the ball over the bar.

Half Time: Tigers 0-2 Villa

Just like in the first half, City made an unconvincing start after the break as Villa went in search of more goals.

Ashley Young was booked on 51 minutes after clashing with Hunt before Nick Barmby replaced Altidore.

Fagan came close to pulling a goal back in the 61st minute when his powerful left-foot shot from 18 yards smacked against the post.

Young was booked a minute later for a foul on Andy Dawson while Stiliyan Petrov was also shown a yellow card for bringing down Hunt.

Fagan was also booked as City's players started to take their frustration with the referee's performance out on Villa's players.

Villa were awarded a penalty with two minutes to go when Duke brought Young down in the area.

The goalkeeper was booked for his foul and substitute Carew stepped up to score from the spot.

City almost grabbed a consolation through Barmby, but he headed just wide.

Tigers (4-1-4-1) Matt Duke; Paul McShane, Kamil Zayatte, Anthony Gardner [captain], Andy Dawson; George Boateng; Richard Garcia, Dean Marney (Vennegoor of Hesselink 77), Jimmy Bullard (Fagan 19), Stephen Hunt; Jozy Altidore (Barmby 54).

Subs: Boaz Myhill, Craig Fagan, Nick Barmby, Geovanni, Kevin Kilbane, Steven Mouyokolo, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Bookings: Marney 32, Fagan 82, Duke 87.

Aston Villa (4-4-2) Brad Friedel; Luke Young, Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar, Stephen Warnock; Ashley Young, James Milner, Stiliyan Petrov [captain], Stewart Downing; Emile Heskey (Carew 78), Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Subs: Brad Guzan, Steve Sidwell, John Carew, Fabian Delph, Nigel Reo-Coker, Habib Beye, Ciaran Clark.

Bookings: Cuellar 42, Ashley Young 51, Luke Young 61, Petrov 68.