Aston Villa couldn’t get past strugglers Ipswich, who had Axel Tuanzebe sent off in the first half, as the game finished 1-1 at Villa Park on Saturday.
WATCH – Full match replay
Tuanzebe was sent off in the first half after picking up two yellow cards but Ipswich remarkably took the lead in the second half through Liam Delap.
Ollie Watkins equalized and Villa came close on several occasions to grabbing a winner but Ipswich’s new goalkeeper Alex Palmer was superb for and the Tractor Boys hung on for a valuable point in their battle against relegation.
With the draw Villa lose more ground in the top four race and have 38 points. Ipswich have 17 points and move above Leicester in the relegation zone on goal difference as they’re two points from safety.
Rashford makes big impact but Ipswich show reaction
With Ipswich down to 10 players towards the end of the first half, Unai Emery sent on Marcus Rashford at half time and he had a huge impact. Rashford’s curler was pushed away by Palmer, his stunning free kick smashes the bar and fell to Watkins to make it 1-1 and a superb late mazy run almost led to the ball being bundled home but Palmer again made a big save. Rashford looks fresh, confident and eager to make a difference and this performance bodes well for the rest of the season of Villa. As for Ipswich, the resilience they showed also bodes well for their relegation scrap. They suffered a late defeat at home to bottom club Southampton last time out in the Premier League but showed huge character to grab a point at Villa. Kieran McKenna’s side took their big chance after going down to 10 players and then recent signing Alex Palmer made some magnificent saves to prove he could be the difference for them in the relegation scrap. Ipswich have been in games for most of this season and a resilient performance like this is the blueprint for how they can dig in and grind out points late in the season as they try to stay up.
Aston Villa vs Ipswich player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Aston Villa host Chelsea on Saturday, February 22. Ipswich host Tottenham on the same day.
Aston Villa vs Ipswich score: 1-1
Watkins 69'; Delap 56'
Aston Villa vs Ipswich live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Palmer somehow saves!
Rashford’s mazy run and cross deflects towards goal but somehow Palmer flicks it wide.
Asensio goes close twice
Villa should be ahead. Asensio should score from 10 yards out but puts the ball over. He then forces a smart low save from Palmer.
Palmer with a fine stop!
Villa almost take the lead right away. A header is flicked towards goal but Palmer makes a great stop.
There it is! Watkins slots home the rebound — Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich
Rashford spanks a beauty of a free kick off the bar and the rebound falls straight to Watkins who taps home. What a hit from Rashford and Watkins is delighted to bury that. Game on!
Asensio is on but Ipswich holding firm
Asensio has come on for Malen as Villa try to throw everything at Ipswich. But the Tractor Boys are holding firm. Still 25 minutes plus stoppage time to go...
Delap puts Ipswich ahead! — Aston Villa 0-1 Ipswich
Hutchinson whips in a lovely cross to the near post and Delap flicks it in. What a moment! Ipswich take a shock lead.
Palmer denies Rashford
First chance for Rashford since he came on and he curls a shot on goal which Palmer pushes away. Ipswich are already sat so deep. Wave after wave of Villa attacks.
Rashford has come on for Villa
We are back underway in the second half and Marcus Rashford is on for Aston Villa. He’s on for Ramsey and Maatsen is on for Digne. Can Rashford be the hero for Villa against 10-player Ipswich?
Half time: Aston Villa 0-0 Ipswich
Watkins and Rogers have gone close for Villa and Ipswich are clinging on. After Tuanzebe’s red card it is going to be a long second half for Ipswich.
Rogers denied
Villa are well on top before half time and Rogers has a shot from close range which deflects over.
Red card! Tuanzebe is off for Ipswich
Oh no. Axel Tuanzebe is sent off for picking up his second yellow card. He hauls down Ramsey on the edge of the box and Ipswich will have to play the entire second half down a player.
Big chance wasted by Watkins
Ollie Watkins is in over the top but he drags his shot across goal and it bounces wide. So close to an opener for Villa and it came from one long ball over the top.
Watkins and Malen go close
Villa have started well and Watkins had a low shot blocked, then Malen has an effort deflected over. Villa are really pushing Ipswich back.
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Garcia, Kamara, Disasi, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Malen, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Ipswich lineup
Palmer; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Townsend; Phillips, Cajuste; Johnson, Enciso, Hutchinson; Delap
Aston Villa team news, focus
If Ollie Watkins isn’t fit to start then we could see Rashford start. He looked bright when he came off the bench against Spurs, and so too did fellow new loan signing Marco Ascensio. Malen is also a threat and Rogers is in superb form. However at the other end it’s all about who is fit at center back as midfielder Boubacar Kamara and right back Lamare Bogarde could start in central defense but loan signing Axel Disasi could start.
OUT: Ezri Konsa (other), Tyrone Mings (knee), Pau Torres (ankle), Matty Cash (muscular) | QUESTIONABLE: Ollie Watkins (groin), Ross Barkley (calf)
Ipswich team news, focus
There will be a host of changes for Ipswich and they made some decent signings in January who should now stake their claim for a starting spot. McKenna has turned to Alex Palmer in goal due to injuries and a loss of form with their current goalkeepers. Can the Tractor Boys become more solid defensively to give themselves a chance of picking up points?
OUT: Wes Burns (knee), Chiedozie Ogbene (achilles - out for season), Conor Chaplin (knee), Christian Walton (groin), Sammi Szmodics (ankle)
Aston Villa vs Ipswich prediction
This feels like it will be a lot closer than most expect but Villa’s extra quality and depth in attack will make the difference. Aston Villa 3-1 Ipswich.
Aston Villa vs Ipswich preview
Villa are struggling in the league after a defeat at Wolves last time out as they’ve gone three games without a win. However, they were excellent in the FA Cup win at home against Tottenham last weekend. Unai Emery’s side have serious injury issues defensively and that has impacted them in recent weeks.
Ipswich are looking to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to bottom club Southampton, as Kieran McKenna’s side have lost four-straight games in the Premier League and are in the relegation zone. They are still within touching distance of safety but they have a really tough run of games coming up.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Ipswich live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (February 15)
Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
