Hurst hails Ipswich ‘warriors’ after hard-earned draw with Villa

Manager Paul Hurst was full of praise for Ipswich after they drew 1-1 with high-flying Aston Villa despite being a man short for 51 minutes.

Hurst called his side “warriors” for their never-say-die attitude after Fulham loanee Tayo Edun was dismissed, while Villa manager Steve Bruce said he was frustrated his side could not get the victory their domination deserved.

Both goals came in the first half, with Jonathan Kodjia putting the visitors ahead before Trevoh Chalobah replied for Ipswich to end Villa’s 100 per cent start to the season.

Hurst said: “The players stood up absolutely to be counted and they were like warriors out there.

“Even being down to 10 men we still carried a threat of sorts, limited them to very little especially when you look at the quality they have in their side. Everyone in the ground was proud to be associated with that team and we saw that with the ovation that the fans gave the players at the end of the game.

“We are not playing against a team from a lower league, we are playing against a team that’s expected to be right in the mix for promotion and has got players that have played higher; internationals.

“I am delighted for the players that they did see it out to the end for if we had conceded late that would have been extremely cruel.”

Hurst felt Edun’s red card was not warranted and said referee Tim Robinson had “a bad game”.

The visitors took the lead when a cross by former Hibernian midfielder John McGinn was headed home at the near post by Kodjia.

But Town levelled matters in the 36th minute when a throw-in from Jonas Knudsen into the Villa penalty area fell to Chalobah, after goalkeeper Organ Nyland failed to grab the ball, and with his back to goal the Town midfielder turned and fired into the net.

Villa substitute Conor Hourihane came closest to a winner in stoppage time but his attempt was saved by Ipswich keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Bruce said: “We are frustrated as it was a great opportunity but really when I analyse it, we were better against 11 than we were against 10.

“We did not move the ball quick enough and did not have the penetration.

“We found it difficult to break them down and they were always a threat. The crowd got behind them – they were excellent.

“We have got to be a bit more clinical. We did not do enough at the top end of the pitch. We did not move the ball quick enough and that gave them hope.

“The more challenges they got in, the more encouragement it gave them.

“When you are up against 10 men you have got to move the ball quicker into forward areas and we did not do it well enough.

“I still think we had more chances to win it and the goalkeeper made a great save from Hourihane. Overall we’ll take it but it was a great opportunity against 10 men.

“I was delighted with us first half but we gifted them a goal which gives them all a lift.”