Report: 10-man Blues hold on for point against Villa after Edun red

Gwion Edwards reacts after hitting the bar in the first half. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

The Blues were arguably the better side as time ticked down in the first half, with the score locked at 1-1, before Tayo Edun’s dismissal for two yellow cards seemingly left them with an almost impossible job.

They battled manfully, though, and ultimately came away with a point on an afternoon would they could have easily left with nothing.

The Blues came out the blocks fast, with Jon Nolan and Gwion Edwards at the heart of the hosts’ good work, but it was the visitors who took the lead when Jonathan Kodjia stole between Luke Chambers and Toto Nsiala to head John McGinn’s cross home.

Ipswich responded well, though, fighting to win loose balls and create chances, with their reward coming via a long throw from Jonas Knudsen. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland came to claim it, couldn’t get there and dropped the ball to the feet of Chalobah, who pivoted to find the bottom corner.

Town manager Paul Hurst applauds the Town fans after the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Paul Hurst’s side’s task become harder, when Edun was handed his second yellow card for a late tackle on Axel Tuanzebe, following a first for a foul on Ahmed Elmohamady.

They were stretched for much of the second half, relying on last-ditch defending at times, but goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski was never truly threatened until he had to palm away a late shot from Conor Hourihane.

To their credit the Blues didn’t simply shut up shop, looking to stretch the visiting defence where possible.

Nyland saw little action either, though, as the two sides shared the spoils.

Villa celebrate Jonathan Kodjia's first half goal to give them a 1-0 lead. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Ipswich Town: Bialkowski; Donacien, Nsiala, Chambers, Knudsen; Chalobah, Skuse, Nolan (Kenlock 84); Edwards, Edun, Harrison (Jackson 72)

Subs: Gerken, Spence, Downes, Ward, Sears Red card: Edun 39

Aston Villa: Nyland; Hutton, Chester, Jedinak, Tuanzebe (Green 63), Bjarnason (Hourihane 63); Elmohamady, Grealish, McGinn, Adomah (Hepburn-Murphy 77); Kodjia

Subs: Moreira, Taylor, Elphick, Whelan

Tayo Edun starts starts to pull off his shirt as he heads down the tunnel after being dismissed late in the first half. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Att: 17,824 (2,027 Villa fans)