A fine brace by Liam Delap earned Ipswich a fourth consecutive draw and denied Aston Villa the chance to go joint top of the Premier League.
Villa looked set to warm up for Wednesday’s visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League with another comeback victory after first-half efforts by Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins cancelled out Delap’s opener.
Kieran McKenna’s newly promoted team had other ideas with Delap’s superb 72nd-minute solo effort enough to ensure the spoils were shared after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Portman Road.
Another hard-earned point to keep the unbeaten run going. ✊#IPSAVL | @Nustone_UK pic.twitter.com/B55qH0NEpN
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) September 29, 2024
This fixture renewed the rivalry from 1981 when both clubs battled for the First Division title and while Villa were back in the big time in midweek, they conceded after eight minutes at Portman Road.
Ipswich struck with their first attack as after Sam Morsy’s shot hit Omari Hutchinson, the fit-again Kalvin Phillips picked up possession and glided into the area before he found Jack Clarke, who cut back for Delap to fire home.
Emi Martinez, made captain in the absence of John McGinn, got a hand to Delap’s low effort but could only push it onto the post and it rolled over the line.
Home celebrations did not last long as Villa levelled in the 15th minute after a gift from Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves.
Graves won back possession but his left-footed clearance only went as far as Rogers, who exchanged passes with Watkins inside the area before he rifled in for his first goal of the season.
After Rogers celebrated with a nod to ex-Manchester City team-mate Cole Palmer, Ipswich responded with an Axel Tuanzebe effort followed by a great chance for Clarke, who headed a superb Leif Davis cross over the crossbar.
Villa punished that profligacy in the 32nd minute when they worked the ball out wide to Leon Bailey on the right and he produced a wonderful delivery for Watkins to head in from close range.
Again newly promoted Town bounced back with a Phillips piledriver pushed wide by Martinez after another dangerous set-piece.
The golden chance for the hosts arrived after 38 minutes when Davis played through to Delap after a smart dummy by Clarke, but Martinez stuck out a boot to deny the Ipswich forward a second goal.
After an end-to-end first half, the second period started at a more pedestrian pace and Unai Emery turned to super-sub Jhon Duran with 26 minutes left.
The noise after this. 🤩#IPSAVL pic.twitter.com/6p7ZXg0zCb
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) September 29, 2024
McKenna made his first move not long after left-back Davis fired wide with Jack Taylor and Wes Burns sent on, which was followed by a brilliant Ipswich equaliser in the 72nd minute.
Substitute Taylor played into Hutchinson after a Villa move broke down and he found Delap, who raced at Diego Carlos and dribbled into the area before he lashed beyond Martinez.
The sublime breakaway effort was almost repeated with nine minutes left when Clarke carried the ball and played through to Burns, but Pau Torres made a crucial block.
Ex-Norwich attacker Emiliano Buendia was introduced by Emery, but sent a free-kick over before Villa survived a late flurry of Ipswich corners as the points were shared.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
