Aston Villa inflicted Town’s heaviest home defeat in precisely seven years as the Blues were beaten 4-0 having had Grant Ward sent off just prior to half-time. Ex-Blue Conor Hourihane put the Villans ahead on 25 and then in the second half, after Ward had been dismissed for catching Neil Taylor with a high boot, Lewis Grabban scored on 57 and 78 and sub Henri Lansbury in the 82nd minute.

Bersant Celina returned to an otherwise unchanged Town side having missed the trip to Nottingham Forest last week as he was ill, with caretaker-boss Bryan Klug in charge at Portman Road for the first time.

The on-loan Manchester City man came into the side for Ben Morris, who dropped out of the 18, and lined-up just off main striker Martyn Waghorn.

For Villa, ex-Blue Hourihane and Birkir Bjarnason came into the team for Robert Snodgrass, who was among the subs, and Jonathan Kodjia, who was injured.

Town, with pop star Ed Sheeran watching from the stand, created the first chance of the game in the fourth minute when Waghorn found Ward was a cross-field pass. As a Villa defender slipped, the right wing-back crossed and the ball reached Myles Kenlock in space beyond the far post but the left wing-back scuffed well wide when he had a good opportunity to net his first senior goal.

Villa first threatened on 13 when Hourihane sent over a freekick which Bartosz Bialkowski punched as he was foul by Mile Jedinak. The keeper looked to take a knock on the hip but was OK to carry on.

As the game approached the 20-minute mark Jordan Spence’s cross from the right eventually found Tristan Nydam, who teed-up Jonas Knudsen, but the Danish international’s shot was blocked. Nydam subsequently whipped over another cross but ahead of his team-mates.

In the 21st minute Hourihane struck a powerful effort from distance which stand-in skipper Cole Skuse deflected over.

While Villa had had most of the ball, Town had looked the more dangerous side but in the 25th minute the visitors took the lead in slightly fortuitous circumstances.

Lewis Grabban cut in from the left and hit a shot which deflected of Skuse and struck Bialkowski’s right post. The ball rebounded straight to Hourihane, who tapped home his 11th goal of the season from close range.

Town looked to hit straight back, Ward broke away on the left of the box but his low cross was cut out.

Hourihane curled a freekick over at the other end in the 40th minute with chances rare at both ends.

Two minutes later, the Blues were reduced to 10 men when Ward was sent off for catching Taylor with a high boot. The dismissal seemed a touch harsh on the former Spurs man as his eyes were firmly on the ball as he looked to take it down on the turn from a Luke Hyam header and inadvertently caught the Villa left-back with his studs.

One or two Villa players tried to rather unnecessarily square up to Ward before referee Simon Hooper issued his card and the disconsolate Ward made his way along the touchline to the tunnel.

There was little of note in the remaining minutes - aside from boos directed towards Taylor - before the break.

The half-time scoreline was tough on the Blues who had been looked the more dangerous side prior to the goal.

Going by the letter of the law the red card may have been justified as Ward caught Taylor well up his leg, however, there was no malice and he was trying to take the ball down rather than make a tackle. There was certainly no intention to injure the Villa player.

The Blues, who had switched to a 4-4-1 system for the remaining minutes of the half, had an uphill battle if they were going to take anything from the game in the second period.

Villa’s Birkir Bjarnason scuffed wide three minutes after the restart, then Josh Onomah hit a low effort which Bialkowski, named Town’s Player of the Year for the third season in a row earlier in the afternoon, tipped wide.

Celina made way for Freddie Sears in the 56th minute with Villa having had most of the ball since the break but without creating a serious chance.

But within a minute they had doubled their lead. The ball was played into Grabban’s feet on the right of the box, the former Norwich man turned his man and hit a shot to Bialkowski’s right and into the net off the inside of the post.

Waghorn hit a low effort which Villa keeper Sam Johnstone claimed with little trouble on the hour, but the visitors were dominating and looking likely to add to their lead.

On 62 Bjarnason shot wide from distance on the right, then three minutes later Villa, keen to improve their goal difference as they continue to target an automatic promotion spot, swapped Taylor for striker Scott Hogan.

Spence made a strong run from deep in the 66th minute and threaded through a pass which was only just beyond Waghorn.

Three minutes later, Bjarnason smashed into the side-netting to Bialkowski’s right, then Nydam was replaced by Callum Connolly for the Blues, Hourihane by Henri Lansbury for Villa and then, after Onomah had shot wide, Hyam by Ben Folami for Town.

Villa made it 3-0 in the 78th minute when Skuse was sold short by Carter-Vickers five yards outside the area on the Town left and Onomah stole possession. The on-loan Tottenham man fed Grabban, who lashed his second of the game into the net, again off the inside of Bialkowski’s right post.

Villa’s fourth of the game came only four minutes later. Bjarnason crossed from the left and the untracked Lansbury headed home from close range.

The Midlanders continued to look for more goals, Hogan shooting not too far wide in the final scheduled minute, then in injury time the former Brentford man shot over on the turn.

But the scoreline remained at 4-0, Town’s heaviest home loss since the 5-1 defeat to Norwich, coincidentally seven years ago to the day.

Despite having gone behind the Blues were very much in the game until the red card. From there it was always going to be tough for Town against one of the division’s top sides, however, caretaker-manager Klug won’t be pleased with the manner in which some of the goals were conceded.

Town, who are now 14th, play their final away game at Reading next Saturday before Middlesbrough visit Portman Road on the final day of the season, a fortnight tomorrow.

Villa: Johnstone, Elmohamady, Chester, Jedinak, Taylor (Hogan 65), Bjarnason, Hourihane (Lansbury 74), Whelan, Onomah, Grealish, Grabban (Adomah 83). Unused: Bunn, Samba, Snodgrass, Bree.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Carter-Vickers, Knudsen, Ward, Skuse (c), Hyam (Folami 76), Nydam (Connolly 74), Kenlock, Celina (Sears 56), Waghorn. Unused: M Crowe, Gleeson, Carayol, Smith. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 20,034 (Villa: 1,981).

Photo: TWTD

KiwiTractor added 23:11 - Apr 21 Too many players on the field today that are simply not good enough at this level of football. Midfield is an obvious problem, but Huws, Bishop and Dozzell to come back. Waghorn isolated today, thought Celina was very average Need a better centre back at the club that we currently have to partner Webster next season.
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GiveusaWave added 23:27 - Apr 21 We really can't read much into this game....we have nothing to play for whilst Villa have everything to play for. It was pretty even anyway until the sending off. As supporters we need to get behind the team and look to the future not the past...MIck isn't coming back MIck Inners. The decision has been made. The most telling incident was what happened at the end...that looked very much like a farewell from Bart.

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shakytown added 23:29 - Apr 21 Kiwitractor. I would not count on those three to turn us around in midfield. Huws is an average squad player who was not good enough for Cardiff. Bishop is so injury prone he should not even be counted as part of the squad and Dozzell is coming back from a major injury and will take a lot of time to get up to speed and get confidence. We need to get in two seriously good ball playing midfielders but will we spend the money needed????

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 23:37 - Apr 21 Regardless of where the team found itself at start of play i.e. first place or end position in the league, it was nonetheless with some dismay to learn the club had been overcome by such an emphatic score. Seems the general consensus is one of satisfied apathy - I.E. who cares as the season was at a finish for the club as far back as January and so what if the players had booked summer vacations weeks in advance of today and didn't even seem to make a determined effort.. People go on about saying they can't wait for the season to finish - conveniently putting aside all that has come before it - which in so many terms hasn't been much at all. Final analysis, another game to forget - Hell knows there's been enough of them.

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NoelTheDub added 03:34 - Apr 22 I dont want to be to critical but we are in sh#t street our club is rotten to the core.The squad we have is league 1 or 2 at best...Knudsen, Chambers ,Sears Skuse are gone we have to start at the bottom the last few management decisions have been atrocious.ITFC IS DYING IN FRONT OF OUR EYES.
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MicksZzzTactics added 04:17 - Apr 22 @PJewellIsaGoat Well the 5-0 thumping by Crystal Palace on November 6 2012 and the TOO SOON to follow 6-0 thumping by Leicester on November 17 2012 in Mick "The one & only savior" McCarthy 2nd & 4th game first game springs CLEARLY to mind.... But ohhh according to local "folklore" it wasn't even PARTLY Mick's fault at all since he quote:"inherited Jewell's TERRIBLE incompetent squad".... hmmmm guess it's the equivalent of Brian Klug being completely faultless in "inheriting Mick's TERRIBLE brainwashed "to defend first... attack later, maybe!!!" squad then??? :-) :-) lol

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BrettenhamBlue added 04:58 - Apr 22 NoelTheDub & KiwiTractor Hate to say it but in agreement. Squad is weak when you compare us to other Championship teams and I'm genuinely not looking forward to next season. MicksZzzztactics Poor Klug hasn't started his short tenure well has he? Hope we don't finish our season with 4 defeats otherwise beginning of next season we will get "we haven't won a game since MM was in charge". Guentchev It's going to be the ITFC version of Brexit next season. Might get the odd person even begging for his re-appointment! Minneapolis ITFC There have been a few seasons to forget also.

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Wooly added 05:03 - Apr 22 Pure and simple, even with 10 men Mick wouldn't have lost this game 0-4. Old timer has said it earlier and I totally agree with him. The best and most fitting post on here, be careful what you wish for people. We are a rudderless ship short on ideas and direction. Don't get me wrong I love the passion of Klug but he will never have the tactical ability and he knows it. As for the return of the plastic stay away fans, numbskulls is actually pretty fitting. Those of us who through thick and thin still support the team smiled at you today and I bet a certain MM is too... I fear for us next season I really do!!!

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thundercat600 added 06:52 - Apr 22 Dear oh dear, all of the people who got MM and TC to leave our club must now be sitting and rubbing their hands in glee after the fantastic turn around and performance of the town players since they left. As we know according to the Mick out brigade he did not have a clue what he was doing and was shackling the players preventing them from playing to their full potential. Nuff said

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1RWR added 07:30 - Apr 22 Lord above! Anyone would think we're Sunderland! It's the end of another uneventful season, MM has gone, Bryan Klug is in charge "until the end of the season" that's all, "the end of the season". Bring on the new manager, bring on 'his' style of play, bring on 'his' players & let's see where we are this time next season. I disagree with Wooly, I don't fear for next season, I really don't. A little bit of optimism dear boys, a little bit of optimism pleeeeese!

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SpiritOfJohn added 07:37 - Apr 22 Whether Mick would have done better or worse against Villa yesterday is irrelevant. He has gone. It is time to move forwards and unite. The fact is that thousands of fans returned to Portman Road and there was a positive vibe around the stadium despite the scoreline and the trigger-happy referee.
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warktheline added 07:40 - Apr 22 @thunderclap! It was never a case of McCarthy not knowing what he was doing! Jeez that's why the 'majority' wanted him out! Boring, negative and totally uninspiring 'football'.....the 'majority' want better 'value' for their money, nowt wrong with that, the 'big' question is do the hierarchy want the same? Thus stop blaming anti-mickites, 'you' had your 'monies worth' well over 5 yrs ( very very long ). Try embracing 'change' .....and focus attention upon Evans, ultimately it's going to be 'uno' who makes or breaks Ipswich Town, not McCarthy!!!!

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martin587 added 07:56 - Apr 22 Until the red card I felt we were in the game and playing well.Personally for me the red card was a bit harsh,but there you go. Second half they played without confidence and very little desire which is a shame as most of them are capable of a lot better.Motivation is a big factor and that for sure is missing.With nothing to play for this was always going to be the case but I hoped for a lot better commitment in the second half. I just pray the next man in is the right person for the job.A big task lies ahead for you Mr.Evans.Please make sure it's the right one.🤔

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WorcesterBlue added 07:58 - Apr 22 Rarely post anymore because of the relentless personal attacks some people seem to use this for but feel I have to point out to the people who still wish Mick was here the following: 1. He always leaves clubs in a terrible state - ruined players (Sears), squad based on negative rather than positive football attributes, experienced ‘favourites' who shed tears at his departure and a club used to one person making all the decisions for good or bad. It takes time to come out from under that. 2. Our only 2 senior centre backs - both injured. Along with Garner and a whole central midfield missing Going to leave a big hole against top teams. 3. Klug has clearly decided to give Itfc players rather than loans a chance to play for their futures. 4. Player investment has been relatively poor but Mick's recruitment and scouting has been unimaginative and lazy. There is lots of talent out there that doesn't cost the earth bit unlike some clubs we seem to just depend on summer trips to Oreland and occasionally picking up players from teams we play instead. Terrible, very much Mick's responsibility and this is where we need change most. Now - please can we move on from the whole Mick thing. As usual it all becomes about him rather than about the club. He's gone and we now need to pick up the prices

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WorcesterBlue added 08:01 - Apr 22 No not the prices!! Pieces 😃
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mib added 08:41 - Apr 22 Worcesterblue. well said especially regarding the mess of McCarthy, hes don't it at every club he has left.
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Steelmonkey added 08:57 - Apr 22 Finidi - last ten minutes, were you asleep for the first eighty mins. Celina had another poor game, why at this time are we persisting in playing loan players when we could be giving experience to our own. There's nothing left to play for, and if we had of played them we might have lost 0-4, so what. Great to hear the fans in such good voice, no mistaking that the fans returned today because a certain person wasn't there, hope this is carried on against Middlesbrough as we need to give support to what we have left of a first team to play. Let's not forget just how many injuries to key players we have at the moment. When the new manager comes in whoever it is, it's not going to be an easy fix for them, I just hope they have the backing of a certain owner to be able to do the job properly. Over to you ME.

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peteswindon added 10:22 - Apr 22 Great to see how things have picked up since the haters got rid off MM. Hope you enjoy watching us get relegated next year.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:54 - Apr 22 the mid field has been a ''dead zone'' all season, no creation ,take hoof out of the equation ,and the strikers may as well sit in the dug out.
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blueboy1981 added 10:55 - Apr 22 peteswindon ....... Call yourself a Supporter .... ?? - you're a PRETENDER.
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blueboy1981 added 10:58 - Apr 22 Nothing left to play for.... ??? - what happened to finishing above the Carrot Road Clan ? - who incidentally are now above us again.... !!!
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blueboy1981 added 11:05 - Apr 22 Let's not make excuses about the sending off being harsh, and changing the game - it was a straight red, as was proved on Channel 5 several times last night. Any self respecting referee would have sent him off, it was an unnecessary, and careless act by Ward - and of course, had an effect on the game.
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blueboy1981 added 11:10 - Apr 22 Swn98 ....... a flash of rational sometimes - but you still know where the minus button is I see ... !!
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bobble added 13:07 - Apr 22 its vry easy to pick our first scorer lately....
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Gcon added 13:52 - Apr 22 So, at what point do people start to accept that ownership rather than management is the issue here? In the ten years he has owned the club the attendance has diminished on a completely consistent level, year on year. It continued during McCarthy's era at exactly the same pace as the first 5 years. People like to berate the quality of football. What you will find is that MM was financially unsupported and therefore had focus on delivering points per £. Sexy football was an unaffordable luxury. There has been zero engagement between owner and the supporters or the community over the last ten years and the detachment is clear for all to see. People can bury their heads in the sand all they like and keep the pointing their finger in the wrong direction. They can keep hounding managers out of the club. They can show up only when they feel jubilant in having done so and cheer their hearts out to a 0-4 loss - Or perhaps it's time to consider the reality that is occurring and start holding the correct people accountable? Minus me all you like, I have thick skin, but I would just ask that you consider these points if you truly care about this club.

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