14-02-2025
Classic encounter: Huws nets late winner at Villa in 2017
Ross Halls takes a look at a classic encounter against Aston Villa ahead of the Blues' trip to Villa Park this weekend.
Today, we throwback to the Championship clash between the two sides when Mick McCarthy's men secured a 1-0 win at Villa Park in February 2017.
Steven Taylor makes his way to the changing rooms after coming off injured during the first half at Villa Park. (Image: Pagepix)
Town squared off with Steve Bruce's team, who were playing their first season in the second tier of English football since the formation of the Premier League, having been relegated from the top flight the previous campaign.
It was a goalless first half, with both sides cancelling each other out. Town had some injury woes as Steven Taylor and Christophe Berra both had to be replaced before the break.
The second period saw an improvement from Town. Emyr Huws twice fired in speculative powerful drives to give a warning of what was to come.
Emyr Huws celebrates scoring Ipswich's late winner at Villa Park in February 2017. (Image: Pagepix) The on-loan Cardiff City midfielder was on hand to notch the winner for the Blues in the 83rd minute. It was his first goal for the club.
David McGoldrick did brilliantly down the left to cross and Huws arrived late to slam into the net from six yards and spark incredible scenes in the away end.
This result saw Town secure their first league victory over Villa since March 1994 and ended Villa's unbeaten home record that season.
Ipswich Town players celebrate Emyr Huws late winner at Aston Villa. (Image: Pagepix)
It was a memorable away win for the Blues, who moved above the Villans in the table as a result.
At the end of the 2016/17, Town finished a frustrating campaign placed 16th, while Villa only finished three positions above the Blues. It took the West Midlands another two seasons to return to the top tier.
Town XI: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers, Taylor (Kenlock), Berra (Spence), Knudsen, Ward, Diagouraga, Huws (Bru), Lawrence, McGoldrick.
