Albert Adomah's double downs Ispwich
Albert Adomah was Aston Villa's match-winner with two crucial goals to defeat Ipswich 2-0 and consolidate their top-four spot in the Championship.
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The former Middlesbrough player took his goal tally to five in the last three games, in which Villa have taken maximum points to boost their promotion challenge. Adomah's 37th-minute opener was not unexpected as Ipswich are not noted for keeping the opposition at bay on their travels. This was their 17th successive away game in which they have failed to keep a clean sheet.
In a match of contrasting styles it was hardly surprising that there was a great deal of negative play in the early stages, with neither side really able to dominate the game. There was a lack of any goalscoring flair, with teenager Keinan Davis wasting Villa's best opportunity early in the game with a woefully weak effort which was easily gathered by Bartosz Bialkowski.
Ipswich, lacking the services of striker David McGoldrick, were hardly a dangerous force either in a typically hard-working performance. Their most threatening move in the first period was a determined run from Dominic Iorfa which carried him into the Villa penalty area only for Grant Ward to lift his effort over the bar.
Injury-hit Villa suffered another setback when Australia international Mile Jedinak had to limp out of the game midway through the first half. Adomah attempted to spark Villa into life when he created space for himself to produce a high left-wing cross which Davis headed over the bar from close range.
Villa's over-elaborate play contrasted sharply to the more direct style of Ipswich but in the 37th minute an alert Adomah took full advantage of a mix-up between Iorfa and Ward to nip in and notch a simple goal which put his side in the driving seat.
Ipswich strived to get back on level terms but Villa's defence was rock-solid and confidently took full control when Adomah notched his second goal in the 66th minute. Iorfa failed to block a through-ball and only succeeded in putting Adomah in possession to run through unchallenged for his second goal.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce: "Albert has worked hard and got his reward from working on the left. He looks so comfortable coming in on his right foot and running across the line. He is a big threat and he has now scored 11 goals (in all competitions), which is a wonderful return and long may it continue. There is no reason why he cannot set his sights to go and get another 10 in this part of the season.
"It's great because we now have a threat from a different position with several of our strikers on the injury list. We cannot keep losing our big players but it opens the door for someone else (and) you want them to flourish like Adomah."