Aston Villa boss Unai Emery rested the waste of his party in front of the goal, while their European ambitions had a blow with a 1-1 draw at home in the city of Ipswich.
Ipswich went to 10 men in the first half after Axel Tuanzebe received two yellow cards, but still took the lead for 10 minutes in the second half by striker Liam Delap.
Villa fought back and was equated as a half-time replacement Marcus Rashford's free kick against the bar, on the path of Ollie Watkins to score from recruiting.
The home team had opportunities to win the game in the dying phases, but Emery and Villa remained frustrated.
Speaking with BBC match of the day about whether the draw is a missed opportunity, the Spaniard said: “The game we deserved to win, when it was 11 V 11, it was very difficult.
“We had some very good chances for Ollie Watkins and we had to be clinical.
“We were positive in 90 minutes and when they had the broadcast, we really dominated.
“We admitted one simple goal and to come back with the result, it was difficult, but we had the chances of doing it, we had the chances of winning, but at the end they defended very well.
“We tried it and we played the second half that dominated, we only scored one goal and it wasn't enough. We deserved more, but they competed very well.”
Unai's response to today's draw against the city of Ipswich
– Aston Villa (@AVFCofficial) 15 February 2025
Emery was satisfied with the impact of Rashford and Marco Asensio, with both in the second half with good effect.
He said: “Good impact and keep going, try to fit as well as possible. We play against Liverpool here. We have lost some opportunities, but of course we have to be consistent and hope we can respond. “
Ipswich Baas Kieran McKenna was happy with the effort of his players because they deserved a point in their fight to prevent relegation despite playing 60 minutes plus injury time with 10 men.
He said: “To go to 10 men and to perform how we did it … a large team effort.
“We would like to win, but it took an incredible free kick and the ball to have Ricochet right for their player to keep us a draw.
“The group will fight until the last breath. There is no doubt about that. The group is together, I think we are improving. The mentality of the group is really strong and I am sure that will only grow. “
McKenna believed that Tuanzebe was a shame to receive the first of his two yellow cards.
“I think the first is not yellow. Everyone can make a mistake, but it is more how fast it comes out, it is waiting for us to make a mistake to give it yellow.
“That was a decision against a smaller team away from home.”
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