Aston Villa ended a successful week with a draw away at Portman Road. It certainly wasn’t the best Unai Emery's team have played this season but they head home with a point.
With this being Villa's third game in eight days, it was always going to be a tough test for the Villans and they were going to need their whole squad.
The opening stages were sloppy and did not get going, with Liam Delap able to fire a close-range shot through Emiliano Martinez, which the Argentine would feel he should save. Morgan Rogers managed to intercept a poor clearance from Jacob Greaves, after linking up with Ollie Watkins, Rogers was able to fire Villa back level. 15 minutes after, Leon Bailey delivered a beautiful cross to Ollie Watkins, which he headed to ensure the Champions League team entered half-time with the lead.
During the second half, Villa were in control into the final 20, a long ball for Ipswich which found Delap proved costly for Emery's side as he was able to take the ball past Diego Carlos and into the far corner.
After a tense match, here are some of the talking points from that draw.
-
Youri Tielemans is crucial to Aston Villa
After a turbulent opening season in Birmingham, Belgian international Youri Tielemans is now proving what a signing he is. Last season, the 27-year-old featured mostly as a left midfielder or centre forward, this season Tielemans is featuring in a double pivot.
The midfielder’s ability to dictate tempo from deep and long passing range has proved crucial in Villa's build up this season and also today. His understanding with fellow Belgium teammate Amadou Onana was a struggle for Ipswich to break through and were forced out wide most game.
Tielemans was also important for Villa when attacking, with the midfielder's set pieces causing issues all game.
-
Emery has an issue a right-back
With Matty Cash still injured, Aston Villa have had a range of players feature at right-back so far this season, with the likes of Ezri Konsa, Lamare Bogarde and Kosta Nedeljkovic.
With Konsa crucial to Villa at centre-back and Cash's recent injury record, Emery may have to turn to his young fullbacks more often.
The 52-year-old has already said Nedeljkovic will need time to develop tactically and with Bogarde’s primary positions being centre-back and defensive midfield, teams may look to target Aston Villa down their right.
-
Morgan Rogers is the future of Aston Villa
Just over nine months ago, most Premier League fans would have no idea who Morgan Rogers was. Now, the England youth international is one of the most talked about prospects in the league.
Rogers showed his class in the first half, with some lovely link-up between with Ollie Watkins, which was crucial to Villa's first goal today. The 22-year-old will be a handful for any team to defend against, with him most times drawing more than one player towards him.
Villa will hope Rogers will recover quickly after reportedly being substituted with a tight hamstring.
-
Emiliano Martinez proves his class again
By Emiliano Martinez standards, the Argentina goalkeeper will no doubt be disappointed with the first goal scored past him today at Portman Road, however when he was needed, Martinez was superb.
In the first half, the 32-year-old made a smart save from Kalvin Phillips, his positioning was crucial in him making the parry to his left. Shortly after, Ipswich striker Liam Delap broke Villa's high line and was through up against Martinez, the goalkeeper stayed big and made a brave save with his left foot, a stunning stop!
The Tractor Boys were not a threat from set pieces as Martinez was able to use his size and claim every ball in the air.
