Shorn of Allan Evans, serving a two match suspension, and gifting Ipswich an opener through a mistake by Ken McNaught, Villa were already up against it when Des Bremner repeated the trick to allow Bobby Robson’s side to open a two goal lead after 18 minutes. Gary Shaw pulled one back and Ron Saunders’ side had the opportunities to win at a canter but scarcely believably after the Suffolk’s side lucky win in the reverse encounter they did so again at Villa Park to reduce Villa’s lead at the head of the table to one point with four to play.