Although still waiting for their maiden Premier League win of the season, Town are on a three game unbeaten streak and The Villans will have to work hard to break down a resilient Ipswich side.
Ipswich were far from their best last weekend but still managed to find a way to sneak a point in the dying embers of the game. The captain, Sam Morsy stepped up to the plate as he so often does for the Blues.
Villa made it back-to-back comebacks coming from behind to win against Wolves, much like they did against Everton. They sit third in the table following an impressive start to the season, maintaining the levels they hit last season which helped them secure Champions League football.
The Villans have a massive Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday so it will be interesting to see if that game being just three days after will impact Unai Emery's team selection.
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Raising Levels
If Ipswich are to get anything against Aston Villa they know their levels will have to be raised significantly from the clash against Southampton. The Tractor Boys had strong spells in the first half but were largely disorientated in the second half and lacking that cutting edge up top. Town are still gelling as a side and relationships, especially in the final third will take a while to develop and fans will have to remain patient.
The Villans have an array of in-form attacking threats who can punish the Tractor Boys with the highlights being Morgan Rogers and the deadly Jhon Duran off the bench. Ollie Watkins is their main source of goals and has made up for a slow start to the season by being back in the goals against Everton and Wolves.
Villa have found a great midfield balance: powerhouse Amadou Onana has made a superb start to life in Claret and Blue replacing big boots in the form of Douglas Luiz and a creator in Youri Tielemans. Kalvin Phillips was a big miss in the middle of the park for the Tractor Boys against Southampton and remains a doubt for Sunday, it could be a gamechanger if he involved because the ability to disrupt their rhythm.
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Time for Jack Clarke?
Ipswich have struggled to get Sammie Szmodics touches on the ball for the last three games. Szmodics' off the ball work would be useful against a busy Villa side but Jack Clarke's ball carrying abilities could mean he is given the nod to challenge a strong one-vs-one defender in Ezri Konsa.
It is also important to note that one of Ipswich's attacking stalwarts over the last one and a half seasons, Nathan Broadhead, did not feature in the squad last week but should be available for this Sunday. It will be intriguing to see if one of Szmodics or Clarke will miss out for Broadhead, who would be a popular inclusion with the home fans.
Szmodics is yet to lock down this role, with many calling for him to be moved to his preferred position at centre attacking midfield. Will Kieran McKenna keep faith in Szmodics out on the left or change things up?
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Aston Villa defensive frailties
The boys in Claret and Blue are still awaiting their first clean sheet of the season and have been on a favourable run of fixtures against teams struggling in the form of Leicester, Everton and Wolves.
This should give the Tractor Boys confidence that if they can find the right attacking balance, there should be opportunities for them to punish the Villans.
Villa are looking light on options at the back. Matty Cash and Diego Carlos are both doubtful for the game. There will be no Portman Road reunion for Tyrone Mings as he is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Although not a defender, John Mcginn will also be a big loss for Villa as he picked up a hamstring injury against Wolves.
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Portman Road form will be crucial
Portman Road has been a fortress since Kieran McKenna has come in and even though Town have not won either of the first two home games, they have given a good account of themselves against strong opposition in Liverpool and Fulham.
Villa will be no easier and Ipswich know they will have to be at their very best if they are to take something from this game. Home form will be crucial for the Tractor Boys if they want to stay up because they will have their backs against the wall in most away games this campaign. Most Ipswich fans would settle for a point tomorrow but a first win would be priceless and would kick start their season, cementing what has been a positive start for the Blues since returning to the Premier League.
