Town defender Aaron Cresswell has revealed that speculation Aston Villa were interested in signing him last summer amounted to nothing more than paper talk.

The reports surfaced at the end of Cresswell’s first season at Portman Road and after Town fans had voted for the ex-Tranmere man as their Player of the Year.

New Villa boss Paul Lambert was said to be weighing up a move for Cresswell, his club having made an enquiry, but six months on the player is still as committed as ever to Ipswich.

Cresswell, 22, said: “All I know is what was in the paper and to be honest I just put it down to paper talk. I never got involved and never had a decision to make.

“At the start of the season I knew I wasn’t playing well. But the whole team wasn’t playing well. We were getting beaten, confidence was low and no one was really on top of their game.

“Everyone has said ‘his head was turned’ and ‘he may not want to be here’ but that was never the case.

“I was always fully committed to Ipswich. At the start of the season I still had three years left on my contract so I just kept my head down.”

Cresswell’s loss of form over the first few weeks of the campaign coincided with the team’s slump to the bottom of the Championship table.

But since new boss Mick McCarthy replaced the departed Paul Jewell things have improved considerably and 13 points from a possible 21 has seen Town climb clear of the bottom three.

Cresswell reflected on the 2-1 success at Bolton on Saturday, adding: “In the first half I don’t think we played particularly well and we could do nothing about their goal — it was 30 yards in the top corner.

“We kept it tight at the back and we knew second half we could push on and kick on into the game. We did that towards the end of the game and thankfully it was a good win for us in the end.

“Maybe a couple of weeks ago or months ago we’d have sort of sat back and held on for the draw, but at the minute confidence is high in the camp and we wanted the win more than them I suppose. It was a good win for us.

“Over the last six or seven games we’ve had three or four wins and one draw. Obviously that’s more or less promotion form you could say. We’ve just got to keep going and keep pushing up that table.”

Photo: Action Images

Tractamatt added 15:14 - Dec 6 Would like a couple more like him this january. He always comes across as fully commited to the club and suppporters. Future captain.COYB
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homer_123 added 15:17 - Dec 6 Damn it - that must mean he's just been pants this season then, as opposed the having his head turned and losing focus.
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JimmyJazz added 15:18 - Dec 6 Well obviously Villa were looking at Championship left backs as they ended up signing Bennett from Middlesbrough. Seems they didn't get to the stage of making contact with Town, but it would appear to be a bit more than just paper talk
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brian_a_mul added 15:34 - Dec 6 A good player with a good left foot. For me I would prefer our players to be linked with bigger clubs, it means they are playing well! If the players play = well Ipswich play well!
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Lowestoft_Blue added 15:52 - Dec 6 quality left back, hope hewitt is just the same! Cresswell Smith Chambers Hewitt. what a back four.
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afrodids added 16:35 - Dec 6 my sentiments exactly lowerstoft blue. A young back four which could be there for the next 5 years
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ITFC4daprem added 18:14 - Dec 6 Good to see he is happy here, still a young player who looks to of found his club hopefully
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Wickets added 18:28 - Dec 6 Yer a great little player hang on to him, we do seem to have some good young players but for me we still need a De-Vos or Mogga right sided centre half,nothing against Chambers who i rate as decent but i do like someone who can be more dominant a bit of a bully, who can head the ball a long way under pressure! in an ideal world you understand.
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h32 added 19:30 - Dec 6 Not surprised only 'paper talk' - the lad has potential and a reasonable left foot - but he needs to 'push on' now. Struggling a bit when he should be doing better, in my opinion.
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Talbs77 added 19:53 - Dec 6 I like this lad. He seems a good honest lad who loves his football down here. I met his dad last season who wouldnt stop saying how much Aaron loved it at the club. He has lots of potential and dont think we've seen the best of him yet. That sweet left foot of his comes from the footballing gods.
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gazzmac4 added 20:04 - Dec 6 @wickets although I agree we need a new mogga/ jason devos I think that Chambo can grow into that role. I think he's shown he's got enough to his game in his time here so far. Yes he's made errors but the way we played those first 13 games no one played without blame in every one of those games! Also like Cressy he seems to care about the club and wears his heart on his sleeve. Which is a trait we all want to see from the lads!

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SonOfSpock added 20:07 - Dec 6 I stated on previous posts categorically that this was the case - and now it's straight from the horses mouth. When my source says 'def info' that is the case.
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h32 added 20:11 - Dec 6 ...... if that left foot is that 'sweet' (and I'm not disagreeing) let's see him using it to it's full potential - for his sake, as well as ours.
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:36 - Dec 6 ''paper talk'' now theres a surprise ! decent player, glad he is still with us .
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pistolknight added 21:04 - Dec 6 After a promising start to his town career I think he has been average at best!! He is one of the main reasons why we have struggled at the back and overall I think he could of lost his place in the team if it wasn't for the fact nobody was pushing to displace him in the team! The only other thing that baffles me is so many supporters think he is a potential star of the future. He has been better of late which has obviously a sign that MM has kicked him into gear! I hope he shows and fulfills this potential that so far I'm struggling to see, hope I'm wrong!!!

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warbeat78 added 22:05 - Dec 6 Thomas gaardsoe =chambers (perhaps?) hopefully !!
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i_like_that_bolder added 23:43 - Dec 6 agree with a couple of the above comments, we've definitely not had a De Vos for a while and I'm sure those sort of players make a difference to younger players like Cresswell. Looking forward to him and the rest of the defence continuing to improve under MM, loads more optimism now.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:41 - Dec 7 Move Cressy up to centre left (à la Edwards on the right) and get in a new (taller) left back? Just a thought...
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brian_a_mul added 08:59 - Dec 7 MM did play Cressy at Left Mid with Smith at LB in one of MM first games. Not too sure if Cressy has the technique or composure to play a central role just yet, maybe in future. Putting Cressy in a central position takes away one of his best weapons, his left cross. Plus he has great energy and appitate for running up and down the flanks. Maybe a possible attacking wing back (ala Ashley Cole) in a 5-3-2, linking up with midfield and offering a threat out wide.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:16 - Dec 7 brian_a_mul: I hadn't realised that Cressy had been tried left mid. That's what happens when you listen on the Internet and can't see all the matches live. But why would playing Cressy left mid take away his best weapon? That was my point, really. He could get farther up the field quicker and get more of his crosses in, safe in the knowledge that there was a decent LB covering behind him. Maybe your 5-3-2 might work, though. But with our defense in the state it is at the moment, we don't want too many of them wandering up the field too often and leaving us wide open to counter attack (e.g. Palace model) :) Hoping for continued improvement tomorrow!

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