Caretaker-boss Bryan Klug said Town’s game plan went out of the window after Grant Ward’s sending off three minutes before the break, a decision with which he had no complaints.

“Up until then I’m not saying we were the better team but I thought we were in the game against a very good team,” Klug said.

“We had a plan for the game and then when that happens it goes out the window, I’m afraid.

“It was right in front of us. I don’t think there was any malice in the challenge but he did catch him high and it gives the referee a chance to do that, so I’ve no real complaints about it really.

“But, like I say, there’s no malice in the challenge and it did look like he was hurt, although I don’t think he was, but that’s no criticism of him. It was not even rash, I just think Grant didn’t see him.”

It made what was already a difficult ask even harder for the Blues, who had already gone a goal behind at that stage.

“As it turned out it made it impossible,” Klug reflected. “We tried different ways of trying to get something out of the game and obviously that left us a bit open and they’ve got some fantastic players, who were able to capitalise and in the end we were well beaten.

“But it’s not through lack of effort. As I said to the lads down there, we made some uncharacteristic mistakes for that group in the way we gave them the ball in certain areas, but they’re a good team.”

Klug says he fully expects to remain in charge for the final two matches: “Unless the owner can find somebody else. I’m expecting to be but I’d be delighted if I’m not!”

The 57-year-old academy head of coaching and player development reiterated that he has no intention of applying for the role on a permanent basis.

“That’s always been well-known,” he said. “That’s not for me, I’m sure the owner’s going to find somebody who can lead this club.”

Klug had praise for the crowd, at 20,034 Portman Road’s second highest attendance this season after the Norwich derby, for staying behind his side despite the margin of Villa’s victory.

“I can’t speak highly enough of them,” he said. “I think they recognised that the team were still putting the effort in, we weren’t getting too close to certain people, but we were putting effort in

“That was one of the things that was important to me and all I can do is really, really thank the people who came along today and supported the club.

“It was my biggest nightmare of a result, obviously, but I felt it was what Ipswich Town is about really, so all I can do is thank them.”

Villa’s assistant manager Colin Calderwood felt Ward’s dismissal played a significant part in the result but thought his side was getting on top by that stage anyway.

“It was a big moment,” he said. “I think we’d gained ascendency with the goal and then that certainly made it easier for us with them with 10 men.

"But we were exerting a bit more control and a bit more composure and I think the work that happened in the first half contributed to the openings in the second.

“It’s a red card because of the way it has to be interpreted today but there was no malice in it, no intent, so as much as you feel sorry for the boy, you’ve just got to accept it’s a red card. The referee had nowhere to go.”

Photo: TWTD

Vancouver_Blue added 18:00 - Apr 21 Glad we had a decent crowd. The kids for a quid offer must have worked
5

ronnyd added 18:14 - Apr 21 Good words from Calderwood too
2

Umros added 18:28 - Apr 21 Yeah, good words from calderwood, better than the actions of Bruce who entered the field of play......
5

Mark added 18:52 - Apr 21 At least we tried to pass the ball and I thought we were as good as Villa until the red card, after which a defeat felt inevitable. The highlight was the sizable crowd that backed the team all the way, showing there is a real appetite to come to support Ipswich if the team plays in the right way. That is a positive going into next season. Clearly we need to appoint the right manager though and to invest in some players, especially in defence, if we are to progress.

15

blue75 added 19:07 - Apr 21 Fair assessment by BK honest words had Ward not walked think we might have got something!! Fans showed today they can be the 12th man for the right manager haven't heard the north like that for many a year!!! COYB!!
10

senduntd added 19:19 - Apr 21 I hope Mr bruce and his players are proud of themselves getting our player sent off for what was at worst a yellow card. Bruce couldnt wait to get on the field to influence the referee
3

cooper4england added 19:29 - Apr 21 Mick on the 8th hole, currently two under and ready to tee off, turns to his caddy. "What a beautiful sunny day TC. Tell you what, next time you put my clubs down, let me know the score in that old football club I used to run"......... "Four nil at home!" TC chortles as Mick cracks a drive straight down the middle of the fairway.
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Trac70 added 20:31 - Apr 21 Ward is NOT a wing back. Last 2 games have shown his weaknesses of defending. BUT fair play to BK for trying to experiment. Coybs.
0

Kikapu added 21:14 - Apr 21 @Mark. ' That is a positive going into next season.' Losing is never a positive thing, Mark. Probable, yes.
3

pragmatic added 21:28 - Apr 21 Bryan Klug & his coaches doing a gd job under difficult circumstances, new manager will need time to find his feet, agree calderwood gave level headed viewpoint.
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ChrisFelix added 21:36 - Apr 21 Today was always going to be a difficult game. The games we should & could have won include Burton, QPR & Hull !!!@@
3

raycrawfordswig added 23:13 - Apr 21 Did we have a game plan?
1

RoyalAscotBlue added 00:07 - Apr 22 cooper4england... you're a silly little man aren't you. There were 20,000 people in the ground today, what does that tell you?
5

LimitlessBlue added 06:43 - Apr 22 i was a little embarassed by our support at 3 and 4 nil, most of it was done in sympathy. fans only turn up for big games, Leeds and Villa... where were you when we were sh1t, oh, we still are!
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TomGarneys added 09:48 - Apr 22 Just want to say how inspiring the crowd were today, especially the North Stand. Losing 4 nil and a standing applause for the team shows how lucky we are to have real supporters, never mind the politics! Great atmosphere at last.
2

BobbyBell added 10:59 - Apr 22 We were playing the game the right way AT LAST and the crowd saw and appreciated it. After years of boring defensive crap it won't happen overnight and we will lose heavily from time to time. Previously we'd have sat back 1-0 down and probably lost 1 or 2 nil but now we are at least trying to get back into it even with 10 men. That of course will open the game up and Villa were good enough to exploit it. Let's have a new manager who looks at how to open up our opponents rather than sit back and try to stop them playing.

4

cooper4england added 12:24 - Apr 22 Royalascot- it tells me there were 20000 people in the stadium!
0

terryf added 20:09 - Apr 22 Disappointing afternoon after Kenlock missed our only real chance and Ward was sent off. Don't think the Ref had much option there as it looked a nasty tackle, so why the hell a section of the crowd found it necessary to boo the their number 3 was unjustified. Not sure what our game plan was as Klug's teamsheet looked very similar to an MM one. Once again 2 holding players, therefore limited creativity in the centre of the Park and no real pace up front with Caroyol being left on the bench. With a makeshift defence we always going to be on the back foot against a Team costing millions, so why not at least give it a go. Thought the ITFC fans were brilliant yesterday and made a mockery of the doom and gloom merchants in the national media, pundits and ex players. If Evans would just put his hand in his pocket and buy a couple of useful players and we get everyone fit we could have a half-decent squad next season.

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Seasider added 14:48 - Apr 23 Agree with everything said by Brian Klug and Colin Calderwood
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