Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich Town
by Gene Sylvester
at Villa Park

KIERAN McKENNA’S Ipswich Town rolled up to Villa Park on the back of a four-game losing streak but the Tractor Boys showed that there is still plenty of fight left in the old dog yet, as they fought tooth and nail to leave the Midlands with a point, despite the first-half dismissal of Axel Tuanzebe.

Returning striker Ollie Watkins scored the home side’s equaliser following Liam Delap’s 55th-minute opener for the away side, but Unai Emery’s men were unable to take advantage of their second-half numerical advantage as the match ended 1-1.

Ex-Villa loanee Tuanzebe’s sending-off came after an innocuous-looking challenge on Rogers had seen him receive his first caution, with his second bookable offence coming after he had hauled down Jacob Ramsey on the edge of his own box following a threatening run from the Villa wide man.

McKenna expressed his disappointment with the 39th-minute dismissal.

“It was a poor red card for me, especially the first yellow card which was not even a foul, let alone a bookable offence.”

The second half saw the introduction of Marcus Rashford for his league debut in a Villa shirt and attacking fullback Ian Maatsen in an attempt to fully utilise their extra man.

Despite the positive changes, it was Ipswich who took a 55th-minute lead through striker Liam Delap. 

Fullback Ben Johnson sprayed a lovely ball out to Omari Hutchinson who was able to drop his shoulder and beat Villa fullback Maatsen to the dead ball line before whipping in a low cross which saw the Ipswich striker nip in front of another Villa debutant Axel Disasi and flick a sumptuous effort into the far corner of the net past a hapless Emi Martinez.

“It was a really good goal. You hope that you will get a couple of moments in the game and if you create the chance you want it to go to Liam. It was good movement from him and a different type of goal for him getting across his man.” beamed McKenna after the game.

The home side’s equaliser came following a Rashford free-kick from 25 yards which crashed back off the crossbar with Ollie Watkins on hand to tap home the rebound from six yards out.

The introduction of Marco Asensio for his Premier League debut saw the Spanish midfielder have a host of efforts at goal for the Villans, as well as create a a couple of opportunities for his teammates but Palmer in the Ipswich goal proved to be an immoveable object, palming most efforts away to safety.

A deflated Emery expressed his disappointment with the result following the game.

“We didn’t control the game like we usually do as they were aggressive in the press. We had some good chances through Watkins. They defended very well and their goalkeeper saved many shots.” 

McKenna was keen to heap praise on his goalkeeper, who at times single-handedly kept Villa at bay with a string of magnificent saves, none better than his save from Rogers in the 43rd minute with the midfielder’s six-yard attempt tipped over the bar by the keeper.

“It was a brilliant game for him. Alex has had to work his way to this point, making his Premier League debut at 28 after all the loans and to do it back in the Midlands, making all the saves that he made and helping the team get a point is a great day for him.”