Ipswich Town 2-2 Aston Villa: Delap drives draw

Liam Delap’s brace helped Ipswich Town catch Aston Villa off guard in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road on Sunday that kept the visitors from the top of the table.

Delap scored early and late, sandwiching his double around Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins goals and getting the Tractor Boys a fourth point of the season to swing them out of the bottom three.

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Aston Villa lose its first Premier League game in four outings, and perhaps the Villans have overlooked the challenge of Kieran McKenna’s men in light of upcoming matches with Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

The Villans remain fifth with 13 points, behind Chelsea on goal differential and two points off Premier League leaders Liverpool.

McKenna wins battle of stubborn bosses

Kieran McKenna’s had less success in his young career than Unai Emery’s had in his longer, illustrious one, but that didn’t stop the former from keeping to his principles against the latter. Emery’s Aston Villa was a little sleepy on the day — perhaps with an eye to the Champions League and Bayern — and Ipswich sensed it and were ready to pounce. There was discipline in Ipswich’s defensive structure and their counter attack found several times to skewer Villa’s back line. What really worked for the Tractor Boys is that they never acted like anything but a win was the aim of the side. Make no mistake, though — they’ll be quite happy with the draw. And Delap has so much pace for a man his size. Phewf.

Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa player ratings

(from fotmob.com)

Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa player ratings (from fotmob.com)

What’s next?

Villa host Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League before welcoming Manchester United to town at 9am ET Sunday.

Ipswich have just under a week to prepare for a 10am Saturday visit to West Ham United.

How to watch Ipswich vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 9 am ET Sunday (September 29)
Venue: Portman Road
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: : Watch live on NBC.com

Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa live updates – By Nick Mendola

Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa final score: 2-2

Liam Delap 8′, 72′, Morgan Rogers 15′, Ollie Watkins 32′

Pau Torres with a desperation slide

Ipswich counter again and Clarke sets up Wes Burns for a drive.

Burns has to settle his feet and that gives Pau Torres just enough time to recover and slide his massive frame into Burns’ lane.

Liam Delap, everybody — Ipswich 2-2 Aston Villa (72nd minute)

Omari Hutchinson sends Delap into the Villa final third on the counter attack.

Delap has beaten Ezri Konsa when his stepover cooks Diego Carlos and allows him to slap home with his left foot.

2-2!

Delap dazzles to put Ipswich Town level v. Villa

Liam Delap times his run to perfection and dances through Aston Villa’s defense to secure his brace and put Ipswich Town level at 2-2 at Portman Road Stadium.

Halftime – Ipswich 1-2 Aston Villa

Ipswich have produced a bit more danger despite having just 35% possession, but Villa’s goals were well-worked and deserved.

It’s all there in the second half, but a good position for the visitors.

Villa take the lead! Ipswich 1-2 Aston Villa (32nd minute)

It had been even in every way besides possession, but no more.

Really good movement in-and-around the 18 ends in Ollie Watkins nodding home in a contested manner.

Watkins heads Aston Villa in front of Ipswich Town

Aston Villa flip the script on Ipswich Town as Ollie Watkins guides his header into the goal to give his side a 2-1 lead in the first half at Portman Road Stadium.

Half-threat stymied by Dara O’Shea, but Villa soon score — Ipswich 1-1 Aston Villa (15th minute)

A ball pops high into the air inside of the Ipswich box, and Ollie Watkins is waiting for it to come down for a header.

Dara O’Shea gets between Watkins and the ball with an intelligent body block to deal with the danger.

Yet Villa is back at it and scores through Morgan Rogers!

Jacob Greaves desperation clearance is taken down and Rogers shows great technical acumen in a 1-2 to work himself into a central shooting range.

He doesn’t miss. 1-1.

Rogers puts Aston Villa level against Ipswich Town

A poor clearance opens the door for Morgan Rogers to tuck away Aston Villa’s equalizer against Ipswich Town.

Portman Road erupts! Ipswich Town 1-0 Aston Villa (8th minute)

It had been all Villa up to this, but the Tractor Boys won’t care about that.

It’s so tidy and smart from Kalvin Phillips as he sets up Jack Clarke on the left side.

Clarke looks set to tear into a shot but it’s a chopped cutback to Liam Delap, who beats Emiliano Martinez to the near post.

Delight at Portman Road!

Delap blasts Ipswich Town in front of Aston Villa

Portman Road Stadium erupts as Liam Delap buries his left-footed effort into the back of the net to give Ipswich Town an early 1-0 lead over Aston Villa.

Ipswich Town lineup

Muric, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy, Phillips, Ogbene, Hutchinson, J. Clarke, Delap

Aston Villa lineup

Martinez, Konsa, Diego Carlos, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Onana, Ramsey, Rogers, Bailey, Watkins

Ipswich focus, team news

OUT: Janoi Donacien (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Harry Clarke (calf), Nathan Broadhead (thigh), Kalvin PHillips (thigh)

Aston Villa, team news

OUT: Boubacar Kamara (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Jaden Philogene-Bidace (undisclosed), John McGinn (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Matty Cash (thigh)

Ipswich vs Aston Villa prediction

The fixtures are beginning to pile up for Villa, but they have far more depth this season than last and there appears to be little drop-off when called upon. It will be a grind, but they’ll get there in the end. Ipswich 1-2 Aston Villa.