Villa denied as Delap sparkles in Ipswich draw

Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the Premier League as Liam Delap’s double rescued Ipswich in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road on Sunday.

Unai Emery’s side fell behind to Delap’s early opener but responded to take the lead before half-time through goals from Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.

Delap, a promising 21-year-old signed from Manchester City in the close-season, hauled Ipswich back on level terms after the interval.

It was a frustrating result for Villa, who had travelled to Suffolk hoping to move level on points with leaders Liverpool.

Instead, Villa sit in fifth place, two points behind the Reds after their run of five successive wins in all competitions came to an end.

Villa will look to bounce back in their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday in a rematch of the 1982 final famously won by the Premier League club.

Promoted Ipswich are still searching for their first top-flight win since April 2002 but this was another encouraging performance as they drew for the fourth time in six league games.

Villa have made a strong start to their bid to replicate last season’s unexpected fourth place finish.

But they didn’t find it easy to maintain that momentum against combative Ipswich.

Kieran McKenna’s team took the lead with a well-crafted raid in their first attack after eight minutes.

Delap produced a fine finish, meeting Jack Clarke’s pass with a low shot that squeezed past Villa ‘keeper Emiliano Martinez’s weak attempted save at his near post.

Villa hit back soon after, drawing level in the 15th minute.

– Delap steals the spotlight –

Jacob Greaves’ wayward clearance inside his own area was cut out by Rogers, who accepted the gift with a powerful finish that flashed past Arijanet Muric from 10 yards.

Ipsw