Aston Villa inflicted Town’s heaviest home defeat in precisely seven years as the Blues were beaten 4-0 having had Grant Ward sent off just prior to half-time. Ex-Blue Conor Hourihane put the Villans ahead on 25 and then in the second half, after Ward had been dismissed for catching Neil Taylor with a high boot, Lewis Grabban scored on 57 and 78 and sub Henri Lansbury in the 82nd minute.

Bersant Celina returned to an otherwise unchanged Town side having missed the trip to Nottingham Forest last week as he was ill, with caretaker-boss Bryan Klug in charge at Portman Road for the first time.

The on-loan Manchester City man came into the side for Ben Morris, who dropped out of the 18, and lined-up just off main striker Martyn Waghorn.

For Villa, ex-Blue Hourihane and Birkir Bjarnason came into the team for Robert Snodgrass, who was among the subs, and Jonathan Kodjia, who was injured.

Town, with pop star Ed Sheeran watching from the stand, created the first chance of the game in the fourth minute when Waghorn found Ward was a cross-field pass. As a Villa defender slipped, the right wing-back crossed and the ball reached Myles Kenlock in space beyond the far post but the left wing-back scuffed well wide when he had a good opportunity to net his first senior goal.

Villa first threatened on 13 when Hourihane sent over a freekick which Bartosz Bialkowski punched as he was foul by Mile Jedinak. The keeper looked to take a knock on the hip but was OK to carry on.

As the game approached the 20-minute mark Jordan Spence’s cross from the right eventually found Tristan Nydam, who teed-up Jonas Knudsen, but the Danish international’s shot was blocked. Nydam subsequently whipped over another cross but ahead of his team-mates.

In the 21st minute Hourihane struck a powerful effort from distance which stand-in skipper Cole Skuse deflected over.

While Villa had had most of the ball, Town had looked the more dangerous side but in the 25th minute the visitors took the lead in slightly fortuitous circumstances.

Lewis Grabban cut in from the left and hit a shot which deflected of Skuse and struck Bialkowski’s right post. The ball rebounded straight to Hourihane, who tapped home his 11th goal of the season from close range.

Town looked to hit straight back, Ward broke away on the left of the box but his low cross was cut out.

Hourihane curled a freekick over at the other end in the 40th minute with chances rare at both ends.

Two minutes later, the Blues were reduced to 10 men when Ward was sent off for catching Taylor with a high boot. The dismissal seemed a touch harsh on the former Spurs man as his eyes were firmly on the ball as he looked to take it down on the turn from a Luke Hyam header and inadvertently caught the Villa left-back with his studs.

One or two Villa players tried to rather unnecessarily square up to Ward before referee Simon Hooper issued his card and the disconsolate Ward made his way along the touchline to the tunnel.

There was little of note in the remaining minutes - aside from boos directed towards Taylor - before the break.

The half-time scoreline was tough on the Blues who had been looked the more dangerous side prior to the goal.

Going by the letter of the law the red card may have been justified as Ward caught Taylor well up his leg, however, there was no malice and he was trying to take the ball down rather than make a tackle. There was certainly no intention to injure the Villa player.

The Blues, who had switched to a 4-4-1 system for the remaining minutes of the half, had an uphill battle if they were going to take anything from the game in the second period.

Villa’s Birkir Bjarnason scuffed wide three minutes after the restart, then Josh Onomah hit a low effort which Bialkowski, named Town’s Player of the Year for the third season in a row earlier in the afternoon, tipped wide.

Celina made way for Freddie Sears in the 56th minute with Villa having had most of the ball since the break but without creating a serious chance.

But within a minute they had doubled their lead. The ball was played into Grabban’s feet on the right of the box, the former Norwich man turned his man and hit a shot to Bialkowski’s right and into the net off the inside of the post.

Waghorn hit a low effort which Villa keeper Sam Johnstone claimed with little trouble on the hour, but the visitors were dominating and looking likely to add to their lead.

On 62 Bjarnason shot wide from distance on the right, then three minutes later Villa, keen to improve their goal difference as they continue to target an automatic promotion spot, swapped Taylor for striker Scott Hogan.

Spence made a strong run from deep in the 66th minute and threaded through a pass which was only just beyond Waghorn.

Three minutes later, Bjarnason smashed into the side-netting to Bialkowski’s right, then Nydam was replaced by Callum Connolly for the Blues, Hourihane by Henri Lansbury for Villa and then, after Onomah had shot wide, Hyam by Ben Folami for Town.

Villa made it 3-0 in the 78th minute when Skuse was sold short by Carter-Vickers five yards outside the area on the Town left and Onomah stole possession. The on-loan Tottenham man fed Grabban, who lashed his second of the game into the net, again off the inside of Bialkowski’s right post.

Villa’s fourth of the game came only four minutes later. Bjarnason crossed from the left and the untracked Lansbury headed home from close range.

The Midlanders continued to look for more goals, Hogan shooting not too far wide in the final scheduled minute, then in injury time the former Brentford man shot over on the turn.

But the scoreline remained at 4-0, Town’s heaviest home loss since the 5-1 defeat to Norwich, coincidentally seven years ago to the day.

Despite having gone behind the Blues were very much in the game until the red card. From there it was always going to be tough for Town against one of the division’s top sides, however, caretaker-manager Klug won’t be pleased with the manner in which some of the goals were conceded.

Town, who are now 14th, play their final away game at Reading next Saturday before Middlesbrough visit Portman Road on the final day of the season, a fortnight tomorrow.

Villa: Johnstone, Elmohamady, Chester, Jedinak, Taylor (Hogan 65), Bjarnason, Hourihane (Lansbury 74), Whelan, Onomah, Grealish, Grabban (Adomah 83). Unused: Bunn, Samba, Snodgrass, Bree.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Carter-Vickers, Knudsen, Ward, Skuse (c), Hyam (Folami 76), Nydam (Connolly 74), Kenlock, Celina (Sears 56), Waghorn. Unused: M Crowe, Gleeson, Carayol, Smith. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 20,034 (Villa: 1,981).

Photo: TWTD

Toronto_Tractor added 17:12 - Apr 21 Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it I just want you back for good (Want you back, want you back, want you back for good) Whenever I'm wrong Just tell me the song and I'll sing it You'll be right and understood (Want you back, want you back, want you back for good) I want you back for good
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Reuserscurtains added 17:13 - Apr 21 Mick out!!! Defensive lineup at home, favourite Skuse in the middle, where was young Ben Morris? Attacking football needed on the floor, it's an entertainment business. OH....
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blue75 added 17:14 - Apr 21 Shame about Ward's red card he was going for the ball, but if you go in studs showing you've gotta expect to walk!!! Today was a good day though as it showed the players that the fans support them!! Even at 0-4 down we made more noise than the villa boys!! Nothing to be ashamed of today villa weren't that good and got the luck, Ward stayed on would've been different COYB!!!!

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TheTrueBlue1878 added 17:14 - Apr 21 Very easy to forget was only 1-0 and very much in it until the sending. Lets just over the line and have a real rebuild over the summer. One thing that shocks me with these group of players, they have no belief in themselves, there so much more quality in the squad than thats been shown. i know MM philosophy doesn't bring out the best quality in players, i hope the next manager does.

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oldtimer3 added 17:15 - Apr 21 Well if Mick was still in the hot seat even with a man sent off we certainly wouldnt have lost 4-0
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cat added 17:17 - Apr 21 Not getting carried away with today's result. This was a nothing game. Being 1.0 down and losing a player just before half time, we were never going to be at the races after that, not even a hard to beat ‘siege mentality' (lol) would have made the slightest difference. I'm still looking forward to next season and the release of some of the tried, tested and failed old guard, fresh team, fresh ambitions, fresh optimism, we're moving on.

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carlo88 added 17:18 - Apr 21 Fecking hate Villa, hope they lose in the Play off final, in the last minute. Having been 2-0 up.
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Daz added 17:20 - Apr 21 Oldtimer3. If we had a new manager appointed already i reckon it wud not have been 4 0 so your comment is not needed
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positivity added 17:21 - Apr 21 oldtimer3, it'd have been 0-5 if you remember the fulham match!
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Daz added 17:24 - Apr 21 Great to hear the fans today. Well done all that went
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TimmyH added 17:26 - Apr 21 Concur with cats post - this is just a dead rubber phase with a caretaker manager and in my mind doesn't mean that much (but rather we'd won) - the sooner we get the new manager in after this season the more time there is to work with the squad and hopefully new additions but saying that wouldn't want the decision rushed. As for today with the best intent and all the will in the world that midfield (and I said it last week) just isn't good enough...Hyam, Nydam (who needs starts) and Ward who hasn't pushed on looks like a midfield more akin to league one, at least with Skuse although not my favourite you can work around him as a holding player.

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TheTrueBlue1878 added 17:26 - Apr 21 Anyone saying Mick wouldnt have lost 4-0, cast minds back to Fulham, we were even 1-0 up there and still conceded 4.
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EssexTractor added 17:26 - Apr 21 Don't blame Klug.... He inherited a collection of depressed footballers And today.... Too many times we face the wrong way. Waghorn running back facing his goal attempting to get into the game Kenlock receives ball goes backward as his body not in the correct position Spence dashes forward but forgets any defensive positioning Hyam, Skuse, Nothing ...Nydam tried go forward but lightweight Knudsen actually did OK, much better there than at left back. Was it a sending off...Bruce may have incited referee...no point booing Taylor, he was fouled, red or yellow..whichever...but referee only one with red card. Shots today to warrant a second look...none... Crowd did well with some hope for a future day..... Over to you Mr Evans, show that there is that real hope.... But how will you do it???????

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hucks216 added 17:30 - Apr 21 We could of played all game with 11 men and we wouldn't of got past their defence, there was just no ideas on how to get a ball through them.
6

bluearmy78 added 17:31 - Apr 21 I watched the second half & it was a training session for Villa, it's hard enough playing them with 11 men but with 10 men we were chasing shadows! I thought first half we fronted up well but the sending off killed the game for us. I think whoever the next Manager is needs to bring in a few experienced heads in to help blend in with the youngsters. COYB
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:32 - Apr 21 Well done fans , result was fairly predictable,Brian Klug is just standing in no point in crucifying him . The only thing I'm interested in personally is who will be managing next season and will that person get more backing from Evans . Not long to wait now ,.
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jas0999 added 17:33 - Apr 21 The club is in a seriously bad situation. MM has rightly departed and although not in a worse position than when he started (we were bottom after all), the squad simply isn't good enough. With the exception of Bart, how many of our squad would a team in the top half of the table actually want? Waghorn maybe. Webster perhaps (but too injury prone). I cant think of anyone else. The reality is that Evans invests into the football club. Sadly, the investment into the playing squad has been lacking. A complete change of direction is badly needed. The investment although very noble and clearly more than any of us could stump up, isn't anywhere near enough in today's championship. I really don't know where we go from here.

22

SouperJim added 17:35 - Apr 21 Fantastic support in the north stand today, despite all the negative stuff that has been directed at us lately. There is still a lot of love for this football club, we just need the right manager to get us all pulling together again.
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Spanishblueblood added 17:37 - Apr 21 Mick and Marcus have destroyed our club, i knew things were bad but what i just witnessed was sooo poor, i didn't realise things were so bad. Its going to take a massive change to turn this club around and i am not so sure it is going to happen under the current regime!
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norfstanda added 17:46 - Apr 21 We never win at home and we never win away. We lost last week and we lost today. We don't give a f**k coz we're all pissed up. We are Ipswich, ok.
-4

runaround added 17:49 - Apr 21 I think we matched them until the red card which was correct although I feel Ward's challenge was mistimed rather than malicious. First goal extremely fortunate due to massive deflection but second half they tore us apart. Not surprising considering the injuries we have & the players they have. Fans backing was brilliant especially second half & it was nice to see atmosphere improving despite the result. It feels like the toxicity lifted & fans united as one ready for a new beginning. Time to move on, get new manager in, get players fit & start again. I'm actually excited

15

bluerico added 17:54 - Apr 21 This looked very much like an MM team, playing for a draw. The red card meant we would lose but I would have been happier if more of our young players were given experience. The attendance and atmosphere today showed what it can be like if we get the right manager and a team playing competitive football.
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Langdon_Blue added 17:57 - Apr 21 Dino out! I bet he's laughing his head off at the numbskulls.
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Vancouver_Blue added 18:01 - Apr 21 I'm glad we had a good crowd. Let's hope they return permanently next season
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BlueMachines added 18:02 - Apr 21 The happy clappy brigade used to wade in with accusations that the Mick Outers were happy to see Town lose so they can have a pop at Mick. Now ironically it's them that seem happy we lost so they can taunt fans who just wanted to see some entertainment. The sending off made the gap in quality too big to close which was a shame. We had competed very well in the first half.

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