Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Aston Villa 2-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 25th Nov 2017 16:56

Albert Adomah netted a goal in each half as Aston Villa defeated the Blues 2-0 at Villa Park. Adomah put the home side in front on 36 during an evenly-balanced first half, then added the second in the 66th minute with both goals largely the result of poor defending from Town.

Boss Mick McCarthy made four changes from the team which drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday in midweek with Jonas Knudsen, who was back from his one-match ban, Freddie Sears, Dominic Iorfa and Grant Ward all returning to the XI.

Myles Kenlock, Jordan Spence and Bersant Celina dropped to the bench while David McGoldrick is out for a month due to the gash to the groin he suffered against the Owls.

Despite the changes of personnel, the Blues continued with their 4-2-3-1 system with Ward and Sears taking up the roles either side of Waghorn behind lone out-and-out striker Joe Garner. Callum Connolly continued alongside Cole Skuse in the deeper midfield positions.

Emyr Huws was again on the bench, having made his first appearance of the season as a sub on Wednesday, as was Teddy Bishop for the first time during 2017/18 after recovering from the groin operation he underwent in August.

The home side included ex-Town midfielder Conor Hourihane and striker Keinan Davis, who had a trial with the Blues academy in November 2015 when a Biggleswade Town player prior to joining Villa a month later.

Steve Bruce made one change to the team which beat Sunderland 2-1 on Tuesday with Mile Jedinak replacing Christopher Samba at the heart of the defence.

The game got off to a quiet start with neither side threatening until the ninth minute when Alan Hutton flicked a header across the face and well wide from a Robert Snodgrass freekick on the left.

Town had the ball in the net in the 15th minute from the first corner of the match. Waghorn whipped the ball over from the right and Villa keeper Sam Johnstone dropped the ball as Garner jumped into him.

The former Preston striker slammed into the roof of the net but referee Tony Harrington indicated a freekick to the home side on the edge of the box for a foul on the keeper.

Villa immediately threatened at the other end, Davis hitting a low shot which Bartosz Bialkowski claimed low down with little fanfare, the striker having looked offside when the ball was played through to him.

On 24 Jedinak headed a corner from the left goalwards which Connolly nodded away from danger.

Two minutes later Iorfa made a powerful and pacy run from deep to the edge of the area where the ball was stabbed away from him to Ward, who hit a shot on the turn not too far over Johnstone’s goal.


As the keeper prepared to take the resultant goalkick, Jedinak, who had been treated for what appeared to be a shoulder injury earlier on after an aerial challenge with Garner, was replaced by Samba.

Connolly underwent treatment for what looked a nasty clash of heads with Josh Onomah on 28 but the on-loan Everton man was fine to continue.

The Blues created their best opening of the period up to then on the half hour when Knudsen picked up a loose ball on the left and sent over a deep cross which reached Ward beyond the far post. The former Spurs man opted to turn back into the area and was unable to find a team-mate when he should have shot.

Most of the game was by now being played in the Villa half with Garner giving the home backline constant problems, but on 33 the Midlanders came close to opening the scoring. Adomah found space to cross from the left and Davis flicked a header just beyond the far post.

Despite the Blues having had a decent spell, Villa took the lead in the 36th minute. Chambers sent the ball high into the air a few yards outside the area as he cleared a shot after a corner hd bene half-cleared.

Glenn Whelan headed the ball back in once again and somehow it was allowed to reach Adomah on the left of the area.

Skuse slid in to try to make a final challenge but was unable to get a touch on the ball and the Ghanaian turned his 10th goal of the season past Bialkowski. From a Town perspective the goal was as soft as they come.

The Blues were close to an equaliser within a minute. Waghorn sent over a corner from the right but Webster’s header flew over.

Adomah shot over following a Villa break on 41, then moments before the whistle, with Villa finishing the half strongly, Hourihane hit a weak effort through to Bialkowski.

The goal was a bit harsh on the Blues, who had matched the home side up to that point of the game.

But as so often this season Town were left rueing conceding a soft goal with Whelan under no pressure as he headed back into the box - two Town players had broken forward from the edge of the box expecting the clearance to put the Blues on the attack - while there were several chances to dispossess Adomah once it had reached him.

Town’s best chance had been Webster’s header following the goal, although Ward ought to have made more of his earlier opportunity.

The Blues should have been on terms five minutes after the restart. Waghorn sent over another dangerous corner from the right, Chambers flicked on and Garner diverted it over from six yards out, the ball perhaps hitting the strike before he had seen it, much to his frustration.

Connolly picked up the game’s first yellow card in the 56th minute for pulling back Onomah on halfway, then Adomah hit a low shot which Bialkowski saved down to his right with Villa beginning to dominate the half.

Just after the hour Town switched Sears and Ward for Huws and Celina ahead of another dangerously whipped in Waghorn corner from the right which the Midlanders cleared from the edge of their six-yard box.

Huws took up the role in the centre of the three behind Garner with Waghorn moving to the right and Celina on the left. Soon after coming on the Welshman was painfully hit in the face by a well-struck Samba clearance.

Six minutes after the changes, before the subs had had a chance to make an impact, Villa doubled their lead.

Snodgrass played a ball in behind Iorfa for Adomah that the right-back ought to have cut out but he was only able to help it on into the path of the ex-Boro man, who took it into the area and slipped home his second goal of the afternoon and his 11th of the season off the inside of Bialkowski’s right post.

Iorfa’s afternoon got worse on 70 when he pulled up after a burst forward down the right with a hamstring injury.

Two minutes later, Huws was booked for what looked a strong but fair tackle on Hutton, who somewhat overreacted to the challenge.

Celina almost conjured up a goal for the Blues a minute later, deftly playing the ball over the Villa backline for Waghorn but Johnstone quickly came off his line to claim. On 76 Bishop came on for Iorfa, who had already made his way down the tunnel, with Connolly moving to right-back.

Huws headed over from a Waghorn freekick on the left on 80, before Villa swapped Neil Taylor for Ahmed Elmohamady. In the 86th minute Davis was replaced by Jack Grealish and neither side threatened again before the whistle.

As so often in the Championship the first goal was the game’s key moment. Up until the Blues gifted Adomah his first of the afternoon there had been little in the match.

Aside from the Webster header immediately after the first goal and Garner’s opportunity the Blues hadn’t really looked like getting on terms and the Blues need the changes when they came.

However, the afternoon’s second soft goal came before Huws and Celina were able to make an impact and all but sealed what in the end was a deserved Villa win.

The result sees Town drop a place to 10th, now six points from the play-offs ahead of Tuesday's tough trip to Derby, who are sixth and won 3-0 at Middlesbrough this afternoon.

Aston Villa: Johnstone, Taylor (Elmohamady 81), Chester (c), Whelan, Snodgrass, Hourihane, Jedinak (Samba 26), Onomah, Hutton, Adomah, Davis (Grealish 86). Unused: Steer, De Laet, Lansbury, Grealish, O’Hare.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa (Bishop 76), Chambers (c), Webster, Knudsen, Skuse, Connolly, Ward (Celina 61), Sears (Huws 61), Waghorn, Garner. Unused: Gerken, Spence, Bru, Kenlock. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland). Att: 30,427.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



TimmyH added 17:04 - Nov 25
Easy win for Villa not surprising considering the number of out of form players Mick started in the line up - Iorfa (been relatively poor), Ward (relatively poor) and Sears (out of confidence), why Mick couldn't start Huws and Celina or at least bring them on at half time!

So after the initial first 4 wins at the start of the season our record is: W: 4 D: 2 L:8 which isn't far off relegation form. Not going to get any easier in the week either...
8

barrystedmunds added 17:13 - Nov 25
I hate Saturday nights..........
0

Rensham added 17:13 - Nov 25
I agree with Mick rest players for the game in hand at Derby. Draw away and win at home. And no point risking injured players too quickly. If only Celina could commit to the team cause he would be the answer to our need for a wide player. Connolly continuing to improve. If we're resting players perhaps its time for Mick to leave Chambers and Skusey on the bench now and then. And how about giving Gerks a run out. We've got a great squad lets make top 6 our priority. Unlucky today, but still going in the right direction.
-7

ChrisFelix added 17:18 - Nov 25
A starting line up including Sears & Ward was always gowing to fail
10

jas0999 added 17:22 - Nov 25
Deservedly beaten today. No excuses, just not good enough. Mick set up to just match them, bore and hopefully nick three points. It worked last season, but not today where frankly we created very little in terms of on target attempts. Deserved nothing.

Yet again, it just goes to show how far away we are from being genuine contenders. This in reality was an easy win for Villa. The failure to sign a replacement for Berra, for me, continues to be very costly.

9 DEFEATS in 15. Some folk May continue to be pleased, but I don't think it's anywhere near good enough nor acceptable. Tough looking games to come. Reading at home looks the easiest between now and the end of 2017. We may nick the odd win, probably draw a few. Lose a few too. Overall it's likely to be an average return - which is what we are under MM and Evans. Very average.

Disappointing.
29

blueherts added 17:25 - Nov 25
Mick running out his contract . Great to see Huws and Bishop back . Nothing else very positive to add
15

Bluetone added 17:26 - Nov 25
Not a surprise, I said before the game started we would be lucky to get anything out of it.
Roll on next season when, hopefully, we will have a different manager.
19

prebbs007 added 17:32 - Nov 25
Problem is the manager is a clown. Worse players start than on bench. Iorfa over Spence 😡 Ward over Huws 😡 Sears over Celina 😡 Chambers over ANYONE 😡 Skuse over Bishop 😡 Knudsen over Kenlock 😡Appreciate not all fit and available but even if they were this pr1ck would still select his mates. 2nd worst defence outside bottom 3 yet Chambers Knudsen & Skuse play every minute of every game they're available !!!!! IDIOT
20

Bluetone added 17:34 - Nov 25
Do you think that when McCarthy goes he'll take his glove puppet Swn98 with him I do hope so.
8

martin587 added 17:37 - Nov 25
First twenty minutes I thought we played well and took the game to Villa.Had the disallowed goal counted I felt we could have got a result today.Cannot get my head around the team selection.Picking out of form players once again.Inagree,about time Scuse and Chambers were rested.
We are still in with a shout for a top six place as I feel this league is very wide open.MM,start Huws on Tuesday night.
Cold drive home,fingers still thawing out.Roll on Tuesday night.
9

Swn98 added 17:42 - Nov 25
Affraid not Bluetone im going to stick around to see what misery you endure when the Holy grail of a new managers doesnt live up to your high expectations.
-14

itfchorry added 17:44 - Nov 25
There is some light at the end of the tunnel -

We only have to put up with McCarthy for
another -

28 League games
1 FA Cup tie

May can't come quicker enough.
25

OsmansCleanSheet added 17:44 - Nov 25
Why, at 2-0 down does it take an injury in the 76th minute for McCarthy to stop playing with 2 defensive midfielders? Surely even 1 is too many at that stage!
18

Rensham added 17:50 - Nov 25
What happens when we end up with David Unsworth when all the moaners finally get their way?
-12

oldegold added 17:52 - Nov 25
Got exactly what we expected..set out to contain the opposition and not attempt to score. Things will not change until a new forward thinking manager replaces our tactically inept one who will play his best players and favourites don't prevail...and our youngsters are given a chance.As usual they have all disappeared to be replaced by, usually, on loan and inferior players. Where are MORRIS DOWNS EMMANUEL KENLOCK for example? Rotting away and aware that no matter, certain players like Chambers, Skuse and Knudsen will always be selected. This totally ruins a player's motivation and McCarthy has no record of bringing in players in his 5 years of boring hoofball. Name me one youth player that has endured.......
17

TimmyH added 17:57 - Nov 25
You lack so much ambition swn98 in fact your just like our lacklustre owner. You'll never find out if we can play better football and achieve better results under another manager if we don't give another person the reigns. McCarthy would have had 5 1/2 years come May, well and truly enough time to achieve something better than what we're experiencing now...you just have this stubborn attitude that no one would do a better job than Mick - strangely.
19

itfcbam added 18:00 - Nov 25
Funny isn't it. I have been listening over the last month or so and nearly all the reputable football pundits think MM Is doing a very good job considering the resources at his disposal. Bar last season finishing well above where we should do given the resources. Yet we have so called experts on here portray him as the worst manager ever to manage the club. Who therefore is right?? Fact is we are now competing against teams who can spend 10m on a player, don't think we have spent that in 10 years!! Yet some expect us to finish above them, yes that must be the aim but surely can't be a realistic expectation to measure failure.
I do think he should go at the end of the season, but not as a measure of a poor job done. I do know of as many who now don't go due to the toxic nature generated by some supporters as those put off by the style of play. Somewhere we need to stop the spiral. The players have proved this season there is fight, we are far more positive, scoring more goals so maybe we need to also change in order to push this club on
0

Seasider added 18:03 - Nov 25
Although not agreeing with all the changes made,hoped that they would work out for Ipswich,well they didn't.

Freddie Sears was ineffective on the left in place of Bersant Celina,and Iorfa started well up against Albert Adoma but as previously was responsible for the second killer goal.However Ward did ok on the right.

Heads dropped after that goal and Villa had a comfortable win;so Ipswich are still unable to get decent results against any of the top teams.

Once again Mick McCarthy thought the team played well,and were on top for 35 minutes,saying we should have been ahead from Garners disallowed goal,however the compliant Brenner Wooley naturally didn't dare say that the game was an hour longer than that.Mick also said that he thought the players he brought in played well ???

Since the terrific start of 5 straight wins at the start of the season Town have lost more than twice (9)games than they have won (4) with two drawn.

Not really that good;but Mick seems unconcerned about this;so us long serving fans will just have to put up with it I am afraid,or as many have done not bother going.

The one positive I take from Ipswich being in mid table 6 points adrift of the playoffs,is that we are playing more attractive football than the dire stuff of last season,and some of our best players are now getting involved;so like most fans I remain vaguely hopeful that Town can still make the playoffs;but perhaps it is my heart ruling my head,especially with this Manager in charge !
13

blueboy1981 added 18:04 - Nov 25
..... team selection ? - dumbfounding yet again.

Will the favourites (real blokes ... !!) ever be rested or dropped ? - NO.
And they know it. No intention of going to Villa today to win - but to bore, and hopefully nick a point.

The empty seats at Portman Road tells its own story - whatever the 'happy clappies' may say is totally irrelevant.
.
13

blueboy1981 added 18:04 - Nov 25
..... team selection ? - dumbfounding yet again.

Will the favourites (real blokes ... !!) ever be rested or dropped ? - NO.
And they know it. No intention of going to Villa today to win - but to bore, and hopefully nick a point.

The empty seats at Portman Road tells its own story - whatever the 'happy clappies' may say is totally irrelevant.
.
4

itfchorry added 18:10 - Nov 25
Good post Timmy H - cue down arrow from
Messrs -

SW98
Gucon
Rensham
Kikapu
8

blueboy1981 added 18:13 - Nov 25
..... got some of Swn98 superglue on the finger - hence the double post .... at least it wasn't on the minus button .... !!!
8

surgery added 18:15 - Nov 25
By so called reputable top pundits are we talking about failed managers or ex players who can't get jobs as managers which is why they are masquerading as experts?
8

Swn98 added 18:20 - Nov 25
sorry TIMMYH your correct lets try a bright new progressive forward thinking German manager like the one up the A140.
-16

midastouch added 18:26 - Nov 25
As much I think we should go for a fresh start next season with a new manager there is a big part of me that thinks Marcus Evans will appoint the wrong man and we could all be feeling short changed come next Xmas! He sacked the best manager we've ever had under his 10 year reign after beating Norwich, work that one out! Hopefully he'll get it right this time but his past record of appointing managers isn't exactly great. That has to be a big cause of concern. Mick was initially a good appointment as he kept us in this league from a bad position (no arguments there whatsoever) when he took over. But since 2015 things have unfortunately gone rather dull and sour. Yes we reached the Play Offs in 2015 but most the best work took place from between August to December in 2014 that season. And nobody needs me to remind me that last season ended with our worst finish in 58 years, say no more!

Whoever comes in next is unlikely to be able to be given much of a transfer warchest so ideally it will need to be somebody that can get the best out of younger players and strike a good balance between youth and experience. They are going to need to box very clever to have any chance of getting us to punch above our weight. If we get somebody in the summer and they start with the youngsters and the season gets off to a poor start (bear in mind this season the fixture was kind to us at the beginning but next season it may not be at all) they might hit the panic button and start to look for loans or cheap January panic buys. As much as I've been a critic of Mick, one thing nobody can deny he's good at (as this is proven) is that he can work on a tight budget. It might not be pretty but it will usually be enough to get you over the line and stay in this league. But nonetheless I'd love to see somebody come in and try and play a different brand. However I do fully recognise it might go badly wrong but I still think it's a risk worth taking. Besides, Mick might want to go in the summer in any case so whether you back him or not, somebody else is going to have to have a go at some point and nobody can honestly be certain how it will eventually play out.

A new manager will have a lot of good will to begin and hopefully there would be a spike in our attendances but nobody can tell me that if we're in the bottom 3 this time next Xmas a lot of the good will and initial optimism will have already evaporated. I still wish we'd of stuck with Magilton for another season but you can't live in the past. Nash and Klug would be worth considering as they know our U23 team inside out but of course they are lacking in top-level experience so that would be against them. I'm not sure what the answer is but if we get the next appointment badly wrong it could end in tears. And it doesn't matter if you're a Mick in or outer as he's going to go at some point whether he resigns or is pushed, the question is will Marcus Evans make a pig's ear of his next appointment? Hopefully he won't (it might be a case of 4th time lucky!) but I have to say it is a big concern given what's gone before!
13


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024