Liam Delap’s remarkable performance saw him net a stunning double, helping Ipswich Town secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at Portman Road, as the newly promoted side continue to show their resilience in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old forward, who was previously a part of the Manchester City squad, wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring after just eight minutes of play. His early goal gave Ipswich Town a much-needed boost against their higher-ranked opponents.
However, Aston Villa quickly responded, showing their attacking prowess. In the 15th minute, Morgan Rogers found the back of the net, finishing off a well-worked one-two with Ollie Watkins inside the penalty area, leveling the score at 1-1. Watkins then gave Villa the lead 13 minutes before halftime, heading in unmarked to cap off a brilliant comeback for Unai Emery’s side.
As the second half progressed, Ipswich continued to press forward in search of an equalizer, and their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute. Delap, showing incredible composure, dazzled the Villa defense with two step-overs before unleashing a powerful strike into the far corner, ensuring the match ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
The draw proved crucial for Ipswich Town, as it moved them up to 15th place in the standings, lifting them out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Aston Villa missed the opportunity to move level on points with league leaders Liverpool, instead remaining in fifth position.
The result also had significant implications for Chelsea, as Villa’s failure to secure all three points allowed the Blues to climb into the top four, intensifying the battle for Champions League spots as the Premier League season heats up.
