Liam Delap had the first and last laugh as his brace led Ipswich Town to a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at Portman Road on Sunday.
Ipswich Town are still in search of their first top-flight victory since 2002, but felt it could be coming when Delap struck in the eighth minute.
Villa answered through Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins in the first half, but Delap found a 72nd-minute winner as Ipswich very much earned the point. The Tractor Boys out-attempted Villa 15-7 and held the visitors without a corner kick while taking 10 of their own.
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 as an upset grew more reasonable. Emery’s Aston Villa was a little sleepy on the day — perhaps with an eye to the Champions League and Bayern Munich — 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 Liam Delap has so much pace for a man his size. Phewf. — Nick Mendola
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 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.
