Liam Delap brace earns Ipswich draw and prevents Aston Villa going joint top

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