Yahoo News John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after 2-2 draw with Ipswich as defensive frailties exposed
Aston Villa remain unbeaten on the road in all competitions this season, but were held to a 2-2 draw by newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Unai Emery's side came into the game looking to maintain their 100 per cent record away from home after wins over West Ham, Leicester City, BSC Young Boys and Wycombe Wanderers, but failed to hold on to the lead to claim what would have been their fifth win in six league games.
Villa fell behind in the eighth minute against Ipswich as Liam Delap found space in the box before squeezing the ball past Emi Martinez at the near post. They weren’t behind for long as Morgan Rogers bagged his first goal of the season.
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Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves failed to clear his lines, allowing Rogers to combine with Ollie Watkins, before the former slammed the ball past Arijanet Muric to restore parity. Shortly after, Jack Clarke missed the chance to put the hosts back in front, but headed over the bar from close range after being picked out by Leif Davis.
Villa then took the lead through Ollie Watkins in the 32nd minute as headed in from Leon Bailey’s cross. Since Unai Emery’s first Villa game in November 2022, only Erling Haaland (66) and Mo Salah (60) have been involved in more Premier League goals than Watkins, who has now bagged 36 goals and registered 18 assists in 54 matches.
Like Villa, Ipswich responded well to going behind and nearly levelled the game up before the break. After palming away Kalvin Phillips’ strike from range, Martinez then made a tremendous save to thwart Delap after the striker was played in on goal. The Villa goalkeeper stretched out to block the ball with his studs.
Emery introduced Jhon Duran and Jaden Philogene just after the hour mark as Rogers and Bailey both made way. But it was the hosts who managed to score the fourth goal of the game as Delap finished past Martinez after driving into the box.
Emery’s side will now prepare for their second Champions League league phase clash against Bayern Munich at Villa Park on Wednesday (8pm).
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez will feel he should have done better to prevent Delap's opener having adopted a strong starting position at his near post. He then made two top saves to deny Phillips and then Delap before half-time. 7
Ezri Konsa
Konsa continued at right-back this afternoon following his goal-scoring performance against Wolves last weekend. He could have done more to block Clarke's cross to Delap as didn't get out quickly enough before going to ground. 5
Diego Carlos
Carlos dropped out of the squad to face Wycombe Wanderers in midweek, but was fine to make his second start of the season at centre-back against Ipswich. He had a tricky start to the game and was the deepest defender when Ipswich sprung on the counter attack to level the game up. 5
Pau Torres
Torres was effective in possession, but had a hard time of it against Ipswich's pacey forwards Delap and Omari Hutchinson. 5
Lucas Digne
The left-back spot is Digne's to lose at the moment given his strong start to the season. Ian Maatsen impressed in the second half turnaround against Wolves and from the start against Wycombe, but Emery trusts Digne because of his impressive form over the past year. 6
Amadou Onana
Onana gave away a few fouls, which did break up the play, but also put Villa under some pressure considering the quality of Ipswich left-back Davis. He improved in the second half and put out a few fires. 7
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans didn't get around quickly enough to stop Delap from striking past Martinez in the early stages. He kept possession ticking over for Villa and is playing a key role in Emery's structure. 6
Leon Bailey
Bailey produced a perfect cross for Watkins to head in from close range, which was the winger's first goal involvement of the season. Ipswich's Davis dealt with him well apart from that. 6
Jacob Ramsey
Ramsey made his third league start of the season this afternoon and is still building his confidence following a season of injury struggles last term. He was in and out of the game for the most part, but has the quality to unlock a defence. He's lacking conviction at the moment. 6
Morgan Rogers
Rogers opened his account for the season by levelling the game up for Villa in the 15th minute. He carried the ball well and competed against a physical Ipswich midfield and back four. 7
Ollie Watkins
Watkins came into the game having scored three goals in Villa's last two Premier League matches, which is as many goals as he had netted in his previous 13 top-flight appearances. He put Villa in front in the 32nd minute, led the line effectively and linked play at the top of the pitch. 8*
SUBS
Jhon Duran (for Rogers, 64'): Duran didn't get on the score sheet, but still put himself about well. 6
Jaden Philogene (for Bailey, 64'): Philogene drew a foul moments after coming on. His influence off the right was limited in the 30 minutes he had on the pitch. He is still working his way back up to full fitness after struggling with injury at the start of the season. 5
Emi Buendia (for Ollie Watkins, 85'): N/A
Ian Maatsen (for Lucas Digne, 85'): N/A
Ross Barkley (for Tielemans, 85'): N/A
Subs not used: Gauci, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Swinkels.
GOALS
Ipswich Town: Delap (8', 72')
Aston Villa: Rogers (15'), Watkins (32')
