Ipswich Town extended their Premier League unbeaten run to four games, but it was another draw in what is becoming a familiar story for the Tractor Boys. Coming from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw against an in-form Aston Villa side, Ipswich showed resilience in a dramatic encounter at Portman Road.
Villa, with an opportunity to climb to second in the table, will feel frustrated at not capitalizing on their early dominance. However, Ipswich’s fighting spirit once again shone through as they salvaged a valuable point in a match full of twists and turns.
Delap Strikes Early as Villa Seeks Second Place
Aston Villa entered the match with the chance to move into the Premier League’s top two, and it was evident from the start that Unai Emery’s men were intent on taking the game to Ipswich. The visitors dominated possession in the early stages and were rewarded with a breakthrough after just 11 minutes.
Liam Delap, who has been a revelation for Villa since his summer move from Manchester City, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Jack Clarke’s low cross from the right caught Ipswich’s defense off-guard, and Delap made no mistake in dispatching a first-time shot past goalkeeper Arijanet Muric at his near post. The goal was a testament to Villa’s incisive attacking play, with Delap showcasing his sharp instincts in front of goal.
At that point, Villa appeared poised to build on their lead and take control of the match. Ipswich, however, had other ideas.
Rogers Levels the Score After Defensive Lapses
Despite Villa’s early dominance, Ipswich remained composed and began to grow into the game. The Tractor Boys, managed by Kieran McKenna, have made a habit of grinding out results this season, and this match would prove no different.
Villa’s defense, which had been so sturdy under Emery’s leadership, made a rare mistake that allowed Ipswich back into the contest. A mix-up in the Villa backline, culminating in a poor clearance from Jacob Greaves, gifted Morgan Rogers an opportunity in the box. Rogers, who had yet to find the back of the net this season, pounced on the error and fired home a powerful shot to beat Villa’s goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
The equalizer in the 34th minute brought the home crowd to life, and Ipswich seemed buoyed by their sudden change in fortunes. However, Villa’s response was swift.
Watkins Restores Villa’s Lead with a Header
Aston Villa did not let the setback dampen their spirits, and they quickly reasserted themselves in the match. Just eight minutes after Rogers’ goal, Villa regained the lead through Ollie Watkins, one of the Premier League’s most consistent forwards during Emery’s tenure.
Watkins’ movement was superb as he drifted away from his markers, Axel Tuanzebe and Dara O’Shea, to find space in the Ipswich penalty area. Leon Bailey delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Watkins rose unchallenged to direct a header into the corner of the net, leaving Muric helpless.
The goal was Watkins’ fifth of the season, further solidifying his reputation as one of the Premier League’s top marksmen. His ability to find space in tight situations and finish with precision continues to be a key factor in Villa’s success under Emery.
Ipswich Fight Back
The second half saw Ipswich come out with renewed determination as they sought to rescue something from the game. Villa, on the other hand, seemed content to sit back and absorb pressure, allowing Ipswich more control of the ball. This approach would prove costly for the visitors.
In the 68th minute, Ipswich found their second equalizer. A well-worked move down the right flank saw George Hirst whip in a cross, which fell kindly to Massimo Luongo after a deflection off a Villa defender. The Australian midfielder kept his composure and slotted the ball past Martinez, sending the Ipswich supporters into raptures.
The final 20 minutes saw both teams push for a winner, with Villa coming closest when Watkins rattled the crossbar with a powerful drive. However, Ipswich held firm, and their defense, which had been shaky at times, managed to withstand Villa’s late pressure.
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