Leif Davis felt a point against Aston Villa was the least he and his Ipswich Town team-mates deserved as Sky Sports’ Super Sunday returned to Portman Road.

Liam Delap scored at either ends of the match – in between first-half goals from Morgan Rogers and then Ollie Watkins – to ensure Kieran McKenna’s side picked up another precious Premier League point with this afternoon's 2-2 draw moving them out of the relegation zone and extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

Asked if he felt a draw was the least his side deserved against Unai Emery’s Champions League outfit, left-back Davis replied: “Yes, definitely. Obviously we went the goal ahead with a great goal, great combination up the pitch.

“It was a good finish by Liam at the front post and Jack [Clarke], as well [with the assist], started his first game for us today and had a big impact for us as well.

“I think we could have took three points from the game. We created a lot of chances as well in the game but obviously they got a two-goal lead and we dropped off a little bit.

“But then, once he scored the second goal, I think we went back for it again. It’s like it’s a negative when we go behind and it is a negative, but then it gets us going again when they go the goal in front.

“But the lads didn't stop until the final whistle. The lads came on in the 60th minute ran their hearts off like they always do, so all round it was a good performance.”

Town looked the more likely side to score a fifth goal in the game and Davis felt his team-mates deserved credit for the character they showed in going toe-to-toe with a side that went into the game with four wins from five after qualifying for the Champions League last season.

“The lads have got the heart to do it for everyone,” he said. “Obviously, Omari [Hutchinson]’s and Wes [Burns]’s chances, but we're playing against the best teams in the world who have got very good players and know how to defend really well.

“There was a spell where they had control of the game. I think from that, we had a foothold in the game for a longer period of time than they did.”

Having held Fulham (1-1), Brighton (0-0) and Southampton (1-1) to draws after defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City in their baptism of fire back in the Premier League, the 24-year-old believes they are growing game by game.

“I think we've got the feel for it now,” he said. “Our start’s been very tough, we've not had the easiest of starts, but no game's going to be easy though in the Premier League. Every game's going to be a different challenge.

“But we took a foothold in the game. We've taken teams to the wire every time. We've played Liverpool in the first game of the season and we took them to the dark places where they didn't want to be.

“And today I think we've done the same, so we've just got to keep going and improving every day and every game.”

Davis’s former Leeds United team-mate Jack Clarke was one of the players to catch the eye against Aston Villa, making his first Premier League start in the left forward role ahead of him.

And Newcastle-born Davis felt he was a joy to play with from the start, while also speaking of how he has found it playing in the same side as fellow former Whites player Kalvin Phillips.

On Clarke having an eye-catching first start in Kieran McKenna’s side, he said: “Yes, definitely. I know how he plays. I made my debut with him at Leeds on that side. With him and Kalvin as well. Kalvin played left centre half. We all know how each other play as well.

“I think we had a good link-up as well. Jack obviously likes to be on the touchline so we'll work it out, where he can go on the touchline, I can go inside.

“I think he's done really well. He's a confident player. He likes to get at people and hopefully there’ll be many more starts for him.”

Photo: Russell Claydon

Eeyore added 20:45 - Sep 29 Not ready for England yet, but I have a feeling he will improve as the season goes on and be the best English left wing back before the end of the season.
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Linkboy13 added 11:11 - Sep 30 You can see partnership's forming as the team play together more. Clarke hasn't had much game time but already he looks like he can make things happen. Delap has all the attributes to make a good striker he can score with both feet has strength and pace. Hutchinson will learn that he won't be able to run with the ball as much in the Premier league defenders as quicker and stronger but he will get better as the season goes on. Both Villa goals should have been prevented.

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