Alex Palmer's man-of-the-match performance in the goal of Ipswich must inspire every player with a Premier League dream.
After a career in the lower competitions, all the way to Kidderminster, Palmer made his top-flight debut on Saturday 28 years old and was a sensation in denying Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, Morgan Rogers, Ian Maatsen.
He also drew a remarkable reflex stop in injury time after a ricochet of his own player, Conor Townsend.
There to see the heroic deeds of Palmer after drawing West Brom last month, his mother, Lisa.
“She's proud,” said the keeper. “I gave her a wave and blew her a kiss, together with my wife.
'My mother had three children to play around and horse riding. She was able to do that and it is one of the big reasons why I am here today.
'All loans and clubs for which I played, this is what it all led. I have been there long enough to know: “When it happens, it happens”. That is the way I take life. '
It all helped Ippswich to earn a precious point in their relegation fight. They were reduced to 10 men when Alex Tuanzebe was broadcast after 40 minutes, but still took the lead by Liam Delap before the answer from Ollie Watkins.
Villa slid to the ninth, but was stimulated on an impressive 45 minutes from Marcus Rashford that can now expect Liverpool on Wednesday.
It was his free kick against the bar that set up the equalizer of Watkins.
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