Aston Villa star makes 'clinical' point after Ipswich draw

Unai Emery’s team dropped more points in their push for a top-five Premier League finish despite playing for most of the afternoon with a man advantage following Axel Tuanzebe’s 40th minute sending-off.

Liam Delap stunned the Villa Park crowd when he fired the 10-men in front 11 minutes into the second half and though Watkins levelled things up when he scored his 11th Premier League goal of the season, the home side were unable to find a winner.

Watkins said: “Obviously, it’s difficult to break down 10 men when they’re doing all they can to make it hard for you.

“You have to be patient. We didn’t quite get that final, clinical edge.

“But, like I said, I still feel we had some big chances in the game and we should be coming away with three points.”

Watkins, who converted on the rebound after substitute Marcus Rashford’s free-kick had hit the bar, acknowledged the “outstanding” heroics of Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer, who thwarted Villa on numerous occasions.

The Kidderminster-born 28-year-old was making his Premier League debut following his deadline day move from Albion.

Watkins said: “Obviously the keeper had an outstanding performance, made some unbelievable saves.

“But I still feel we had enough to come away with three points. So overall, it’s disappointing.”

Palmer twice saved from Morgan Rogers and also pushed a Marco Asensio shot around the post before preventing his former Baggies team-mate Conor Townsend from scoring a stoppage time own goal in spectacular fashion.

Ipswich scorer Delap later described the latter save as one of the best he’d ever seen.

Palmer, who had several members of his family in the crowd including mum Lisa, came through the ranks at Albion and knows many of the Villa academy staff who have since moved across from the Baggies.

He said: “There are a lot of staff members at Aston Villa who have helped me get to where I am.

"I'm grateful for them for the chance they gave me at West Brom, I think they are happy for me and where I've got to.

"I've tried to stay on their good side! But I think they are happy for me.”

He added: “My wife, my mum and my agent, who is like my mentor and has been with me since I was 17 were all here.

"They have always supported me and travelled to watch me. I'm very grateful for how they are and how they supported me.

“My mum is proud, I gave her a wave and blew her a kiss along with my wife.”

Palmer continued: "This was my first Premier League game, at 28. I always had that belief I would get that chance. I've been around long enough to know 'if it happens, it happens'. 

"That's the way I take life. When I got the chance to come here, a great manager and great club, I jumped at it. It's a very proud moment for me and my family."

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said: "Alex has worked his way up, done the hard yards to get to the Premier League. He has got his opportunity now and he took it."