Ipswich Town: Leif Davis on Aston Villa draw and Liam Delap's brace

The Blues extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 2-2 draw against Unai Emery's men, having taken the lead via Liam Delap's early goal.

Morgan Rogers replied with a low strike before Ollie Watkins put the visitors ahead. However, Delap's quick feet saw him twist and turn in the box before firing in an equaliser, earning his side a point in Suffolk.

“Obviously we went a goal ahead – a great goal, a great combination up the pitch," Davis said after the match. "It was a good finish from Liam at the front post. Jack, who started his first league game for us today, had a good impact for us as well.

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“We could’ve taken three points. We created a lot of chances in the game, but they took a two-goal lead and we dropped off a little bit.

“When they scored their second goal, we went back for it again. It’s a negative when we go behind but it gets us going again.

“The lads didn’t stop until the final whistle. The lads who came on in the 60th minute ran their hearts out like they always do.

Davis created the most chances in the match (Image: Ross Halls)

“All-round, it was a good performance.”

If the game had to be won, you'd say that Ipswich were going to be the most likely team to do it. Town piled on the pressure in the latter stages and could've found a third goal with their chances.

“Hirsty as well, coming on and running down the line," Davis pointed out. "The lads have got the heart to do it for everyone.

“You’ve got Omari’s chances as well, Wes’ chance. But we’re playing against the best teams in the world, they’ve got very good players and know how to defend really well.

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

Delap was the star of the match, with brace to earn a draw against Champions League opposition. He now has three Premier League goals to his name, and Leif has been thoroughly impressed by what he's seen from the 21-year-old so far.

“He’s a handful," the left-back admitted. "For the second goal, that’s his quality. He uses his body, he runs hard. He’s a strong lad, good with the ball at his feet. For the second goal, he’s sat him [Diego Carlos] down with a little scoop and then just look how composed he is in front of goal.

“Yeah, he missed that one in the first half, but he didn’t let it get to him. He went again and got what he deserved.”

The left-back piled praise on striker Liam Delap (Image: Steve Waller)

The next step for Ipswich is to get their first win of the season, and based on their performance against Aston Villa, it might not be far away.

“We could’ve had it today," Davis argued. "And then against Fulham as well. I think we did deserve something in the game, but who knows. Results can happen anywhere and we’re just working hard on ourselves.

“We’re four unbeaten but they’re not wins. It’s a good four points on the board, but there’s more to go, like the manager has said. We’ve still got the next step to go in terms of running, wanting to play, being brave playing out from the back like we were last year.

“It’ll all come, we’re taking it game-by-game. We’re just trying to do what we can do for now.”

On a personal level, Davis feels like he's adjusting to what's required in the Premier League, having faced some of the best wingers in world football in the first six games of the season.

He's beginning to find more space to get forward like he did in the Championship, which he believes is a sign of things to come.

“I think we’ve got the feel for it now," he said. "Our start has been very tough, we haven’t had the easiest of starts. No game is going to be easy in the Premier League, every game is going to be a different challenge.

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

Davis had already faced Mohamed Salah, Savinho and Adama Traore this season (Image: Ross Halls)

“Today, I think we did the same. We’ve got to keep going, improving every day and every game.”

Of course, it's been a baptism of fire for Ipswich and Davis, but he's enjoyed the challenge so far. The 24-year-old feels like everything is started to click for him and the team, which has given him confidence for the weeks and months ahead.

“It’s what I’m here for! I love the challenge, I’m always going to work hard. It’s a different task every week – Salah, Traore, players like that.

“Then today, two good wingers in Leon Bailey and [Jaden] Philogene, who came on. Two good players that like to attack you.

“I think I’ve found my feet now. I’m settling in really well, I think we all are. We’re all bedding in really well and hopefully we’ll start to get the points and wins on the board.”