Tammy at level best
TAMMY ABRAHAM celebrated staying at Aston Villa with the goal that ended Hull’s six-match winning run.
Chelsea striker Abraham turned down a move to Premier League Wolves to stay on loan at Villa Park until the end of the season.
And the 21-year-old capped a second-half Villa fightback with the equaliser that underlined his value to boss Dean Smith, and left the Tigers frustrated.
Nigel Adkins’ men remain unbeaten in 10 Championship games and they took a 2-0 lead here through Jarrod Bowen and Evandro.
Former Hull defender James Chester threw Villa a lifeline just before half-time, before Abraham scored for the sixth home game in a row to secure a point.
But Smith’s men remain winless in their last five league games at Villa Park.
“We’ve got to win games here, that’s for sure,” the Villa manager admitted. “I’ve only felt defeat here once in the league, we’re giving it everything, but there have been too many draws.
“We’ve shown character a few times to come back, but we need the quality to go out and win games. Conceding goals has been the biggest problem all season, and we’re looking to address it in terms of defensive reinforcements in the window.
“Our cover in those areas hasn’t been great.”
Hull led on 27 minutes when Chester and Neil Taylor failed to clear and the ball dropped for Bowen.
He struck a firm halfvolley that squirmed under the arm of keeper Lovre Kalinic for Bowen’s eighth goal in six games.
And it was 2-0 10 minutes later as Kamil Grosicki crossed from the left and Evandro connected with a first-time shot that flew inside the far post.
Villa had a goal back in the final minute of the first half as Conor Hourihane delivered a freekick from the right and Chester arrived unmarked to head home.
And they were level on 64 minutes thanks to Abraham. His first attempt from an Alan Hutton shot was blocked by Reece Burke, but the youngster pounced to bury the rebound for his 17th goal of the season.
Hull should have snatched another victory in stoppage time as Chris Martin met Grosicki’s shot six yards out, only for Kalinic to save at close range.
Adkins (above) said: “The big turning point for us was just before half-time when the linesman gave a freekick against Stephen Kingsley for their goal.
“It was textbook defending and not a freekick. But at least we kept the unbeaten run going.”