Bullard has only played a handful of games over the last two years and sustained another knee injury which could result in a long lay-off.
The former Fulham star has been inspirational in Hull's recent revival which enabled them to put together a run of four games without defeat but against Villa they were always fighting an uphill battle.
Villa, unbeaten at home since their opening day defeat against Wigan Athletic, were in total command and should have scored an even more conclusive win.
First-half goals from Richard Dunne and James Milner put Villa on the winning path with John Carew converting a second-half penalty to complete the rout.
Milner played a leading role in ending Hull's unbeaten run in what turned out to be a nightmare game for Phil Brown's side.
Villa, however, should have scored a move conclusive win. They could have gone ahead in the opening minute. Luke Young began the move down the right and continued forward to gather a pass from Emile Heskey only to fire his shot wide of the far post.
It was a massive let-off for Hull who had another escape six minutes later when Ashley Young cleverly put Heskey clear but the England striker, in almost the same position as Luke Young minutes previously, screwed his shot wide of the upright.
There was an obvious gap in Hull's defence on the left which was highlighted in the 13th minute when Villa finally took the lead.
An astute pass by Milner found the unmarked Dunne but, unlike Luke Young and Heskey, the Irishman, in an identical position, blasted his shot into the net off the crossbar.
In the 18th minute Hull's inspirational midfielder, Bullard, suffered a knee injury when he fell awkwardly and had to be assisted off the pitch.
The catalogue of problems continued to haunt Hull and, in the 29th minute, goalkeeper Matt Duke raced from his line to head the ball into touch.
Villa substitute Steve Sidwell tossed the ball back to Gabby Agbonlahor who put Milner in possession and the England man chipped a 25-yard shot into an empty net.
Hull battled hard to get back into the game and they gave Villa a scare when Craig Fagan, who had taken over from Bullard, hit the angle of post and bar in the 62nd minute.
Goalkeeper Duke became the seventh player to be booked when he brought down Ashley Young to concede the 84th-minute penalty which was converted by substitute Carew.