Ipswich Town extended their streak of Premier League draws to four consecutive games after a 2-2 result against Aston Villa at Portman Road. However, their current seven-match winless streak in all competitions marks their longest drought in three years.Aston Villa’s defensive struggles continued, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 league outings, and Ipswich wasted no time exploiting that vulnerability. Just eight minutes in, Liam Delap slotted home Jack Clarke’s cross underneath Emiliano Martínez, capitalizing on the hosts’ first attack of the game. Villa quickly responded, though, as Morgan Rogers netted his first goal of the season, drilling Ollie Watkins’ lay-off into the bottom corner after Jacob Greaves failed to clear the danger effectively.Ipswich had a golden chance to restore their lead when Clarke headed over from a promising position, but Villa made them pay. Watkins, in red-hot form, scored his fourth goal in three matches, nodding in a Leon Bailey cross from close range. As halftime approached, Ipswich ramped up the pressure, but Martínez came to Villa’s rescue with two crucial stops — first tipping Kalvin Phillips’ stinging volley away, then using his leg to deny Delap a second goal.The second half saw a slower tempo initially, with Sam Morsy firing wide from distance just before the hour. Leif Davis also came close, hitting the side-netting, but it was Delap who brought Portman Road back to life. The young forward skillfully beat his marker with a slick stepover and found the bottom corner, scoring his first-ever senior brace.The hard-earned point lifts Ipswich out of the relegation zone, leaving them unbeaten in four league matches. Villa missed the opportunity to climb into second place but maintained their strong head-to-head record against Ipswich, having lost just once in their last 15 encounters.2 – Liam Delap (21y 234d) is the youngest player to score in back-to-back home Premier League appearances for Ipswich, and the first player to do so overall for the club since Finidi George in March 2002. Talent. pic.twitter.com/Z9kA6Jscln— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2024 2 – Liam Delap is the first Ipswich Town player to score a brace in a Premier League match since Marcus Bent in March 2002 (v Newcastle), as well as the youngest to do so for the Tractor Boys (21y 234d). Impression. pic.twitter.com/cTwXL4fZK7— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2024 PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 6SaturdayNewcastle – Man.City 1-1 (0-1)/Gordon 58 pen – Gvardiol 35/Arsenal – Leicester 4-2 (2-0)/Martinelli 20, Trossard 45+2, Ndidi 90+4, Havertz 90+10 – Justin 47, 63/Brentford – West Ham 1-1 (1-0)/Mbeumo 1 – Soucek 54/Chelsea – Brighton 4-2 (4-2)/Palmer 21, 28 pen, 31, 40 – Rutter 7, Baleba 34/Everton – Crystal Palace 2-1 (0-1)/McNeil 47, 54 – Guehi 10/Nott.Forest – Fulham 0-1 (0-0)/Jimenez 51 pen/Wolverhampton – Liverpool 1-2 (0-1)/Ait-Nouri 56 – Konate 45+2, Salah 61 pen/SundayIpswich – Aston Villa 2-2 (1-2)/Delap 8, 72 – Rogers 15, Watkins 32/18:30: (2.35) Man.Utd. (3.60) Tottenham (2.85)Monday22:00: (1.65) Bournemouth (3.80) Southampton (5.40)***odds are subject to change***
