Aston Villa faced a tricky away test at Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon as they looked to continue their fine start to the season.
Unai Emery knew his Aston Villa side would not have it all their own way at a windy Portman Road against newly-promoted Ipswich and so it proved as they went behind to a Liam Delap strike after just eight minutes.
However, they were not behind for long as Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers continued their growing relationship to combine for the latter to equalise on 15 minutes in a lively start to the match.
Villa started to dominate from then on and eventually took the lead after an inch-perfect Leon Bailey cross found Watkins who headed home with aplomb.
Delap was again on target as he beat the offside trap before beating Diego Carlos with ease and firing past Martinez once more.
Emery will be far from happy with his side drawing 2-2 against Ipswich but the Tractor Boys did make it very difficult for Villa and arguably looked the more likely to take all three points towards the end of the game.
Aston Villa player ratings in draw with Ipswich Town
Emi Martinez – 7
Emi Martinez will not be happy that Delap’s first strike squeezed under him at his near post.
Made a strong save from a thunderous Kalvin Phillips strike shortly after Villa went 2-1 up to preserve the lead before a great one-on-one stop to stop Delap netting second moments later to more than make amends.
Couldn’t do much about Delap’s second but will be annoyed to have conceded two.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Sloppily gave the ball away on the edge of the Villa box for Delap’s goal but did relatively well against a tricky customer in Jack Clarke after that.
Villa need Matty Cash back so that Konsa can return to his favoured centre-back position.
Diego Carlos – 4
Cannot resist being overly aggressive which often leaves huge spaces in behind the Villa backline and he paid for it as he tried to play Delap offside for his second goal.
He not only failed to do this but was then beaten all ends up by the young striker before he fired home.
It will be a real worry of Carlos starts against Bayern Munich in midweek.
- READ MORE: Unai Emery has a huge long-term call to make on Aston Villa duo Diego Carlos and Ross Barkley
Pau Torres – 6
Looks much less assured with Konsa beside him but today on the ball as ever.
Delap exposed his lack of pace on occasion and this is where Konsa compliments him so well so he will want his partner back alongside him as soon as possible.
Made a crucial late block on Wes Burns as Villa looked rattled in the last parts of the game.
Lucas Digne – 6
Solid enough performance if not spectacular. Ipswich favoured attacking down their left flank so Digne did not have too much to do defensively.
Youri Tielemans – 7
Was key to Villa settling into the game as he began to control the midfield as the first-half progressed. Showed quality throughout and stood up to the midfield battle.
Amadou Onana – 6
One of his quieter games since joining Villa but disrupted Ipswich well and did not do too much wrong with the ball.
Leon Bailey – 6
Delightful cross to assist Watkins’ goal on his so-called weaker right foot.
A quiet game other than that and perhaps should have been doing more to help Konsa defensively as Ipswich left-back Leif Davis constantly joined the attack.
Jacob Ramsey – 7
Kept the ball alive well to help set up Rogers’ goal and showed why he has cemented a space in the Villa side this season with a composed performance.
Morgan Rogers – 7
Lovely one-two with Watkins in the box before coolly converting for Villa’s first and constantly found space dropping into the number ten position.
Withdrawn in the second-half with Bayern Munich in mind.
- READ MORE: Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane reacts to injury & if he’ll play v Aston Villa in Champions League
Ollie Watkins – 8
Unselfishly laid the ball back to Rogers for the Villa first before rising highest to put Villa ahead in the contest from close range.
Lots of neat touches, held the ball up well and looked like to Watkins of last season.
Substitutes:
Jhon Duran – 5
Jaden Philogene – 5
Emi Buendia – N/A
Ian Maatsen – N/A.
Ross Barkley – N/A.
