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Following back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, Ipswich Town have managed three draws with two defeats in their opening five matches as they now face an Aston Villa side that are now in the thick of their congested fixture list.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 29th September, 2024 - UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Telemundo
IPSWICH PREVIEW: TRACTOR BOYS SENSING A CHANCE
Kieran McKenna has presided over a simply magnificent few years at Portman Road and Ipswich Town are now looking to take that next step with a victory in the top-flight. Some have criticised Ipswich for appearing out of their depth but that argument feels toothless and quite nonsensical, to be honest.
Beginning with defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City is not remotely a disaster and they have since been unbeaten in the league since then. A 1-1 draw against a strong Fulham side preceded a goalless draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium before a last gasp equaliser against Southampton to continue the good feeling.
ASTON VILLA PREVIEW: VILLA
Aston Villa have a hectic fixture list with a small-ish squad this season but Unai Emery’s side, albeit unconvincingly at times, are coping extremely well with it at the moment as they seek to put points on the board before the inevitable and reasonable dip in results.
Since returning from the September international break, Villa have managed four victories in a row across all competitions with a variety of wins. Coming from 2-0 down to beat Everton and 1-0 down to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, hammering Young Boys by three goals to nil in the UEFA Champions League and then flexing their muscles with a heavily rotated side defeating an improved Wycombe Wanderers side in the EFL Cup in midweek.
IPSWICH TEAM NEWS: POSSIBLE PHILLIPS RETURN
Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips has had a slow start to his time in charge of Ipswich Town and the England international missed their draw with Southampton last week due to a 'small' thigh injury but he could well return this week.
Both Harry Clarke and Nathan Broadhead are inching closer to a return after training last week before that game at St Mary's, having been unavailable for the Tractor Boys throughout this season to that stage.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Muric; Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Burns, Hutchinson, Szmodics; Delap
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Clarke (Injured), Phillips (Injured), Broadhead (Injured)
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS: ROTATING VILLA
Unai Emery has revealed that Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara will continue their rehabilitation from long-term injuries by getting minutes for the U21 side in the next week as they both continue to edge closer to being back on first-team duty.
The Villains, who are expected to welcome those two back after the October international break, are without captain John McGinn due to a hamstring injury as well as Matty Cash and Jaden Philogene. There could well be rotation due to Villa's upcoming clash with Bayern Munich.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Martinez; Nedeljkovic, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Rogers, Tielemans, Onana, Ramsey; Watkins, Duran
UNAVAILABLE: Mings (Injured), Cash (Injured), Kamara (Injured), McGinn (Injured), Philogene (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Diego Carlos (Injured)
IPSWICH VS ASTON VILLA PREDICTION
Whilst it has been an extremely strong start to the season for Villa with six victories and one defeat across all competitions, there has been a little concern about fatigue and starting matches slowly. With injuries also now happening, this seems like the perfect chance for a newly-promoted side, who have started steadily, to claim a valuable three points back at their home ground in what will be a raucous atmosphere.
IPSWICH VS ASTON VILLA TIP: IPSWICH TO WIN