Ipswich can't knock Villa off course

Aston Villa continue their Wembley march on two fronts as goals by Mark Draper, Ian Taylor and almost inevitably Dwight Yorke put them into the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of gallant but outclassed Ipswich.

Yorke’s two goals against Arsenal highway on Wednesday night kept Villa on course for the Coca-Cola cup final and although the 19 goal striker had to share the billing at Portman Road his in form team look a sound bet for a cup double on this evidence.

Ipswich have improve beyond recognition from early-season form, having lost only one of their 14 games before this one to climb into the top half of the first division.

But Villa were available able to dismiss them without ever engaging top gear despite losing striker Timmy Johnson after only 13 minutes.

By that time they were already in front with Draper’s unstoppable 22 yard shot arrowing into the top corner.

And in the 19th minute Mick Stockwell’s lunging attempt at a goal lube clearance could not prevent Yorke’s stooping header from a Draper corner going in for his seventh goal in four games.

Ipswich never gave up the fight and forced keeper Mark Bosnich into a pair of acrobatic tip over saved from Simon Milton and promising 20-year-old centre forward Jamie Scowcroft.

Taylor who came on for Johnson made the victory secure 10 minutes after the break with a clever glancing header just inside the far post from Steve Staunton's cross.

Serbian striker Savo Milošević who missed two sitter in the first half twice raced through in brilliant solo runs after the break only to again fail with his finishing.

Milošević in fact with jeered after appearing to dive theatrically over Steve Sedgley’s challenging in search for penalty but the home fans quickly turned their attention to a brave late Ipswich fightback.

Milton was twice denied when the impressive Gareth Southgate and fellow defender Ugo Ehiogu both blocked blistering goalbound shots.

And six minutes from the end Paul Mason grabbed a consolation effort Ipswich deserved when he squeezed substitute Gus Uhlenbeek’s low cross between Bosnich and the near post to maintain the record for scoring in every round.

On Johnson’s injury Villa manager Brian little said afterwards:

“He has some sort of thigh injury and will be out for two or three weeks. It is a disappointment for him and a disappointment for us because we have been playing so well with the same side.

“We knew we were going to lose him at some stage anyway because he's only one booking away from suspension.

“But Ian Taylor took his chance as substitute today and he'll be in again on Wednesday

“I’ve been telling Ian that when his chance comes to get into the side to make sure he stays in. Our shape is a bit different when he plays but we are also a bit more solid.

“He scored a good goal when he came on today and will be eager to do well again at Villa Park against Arsenal. Although it's always been thrown at me that our squad is not big enough the fact is we do have quality players to come in.

“I put Paul McGrath on the bench again today but if people think that’s the beginning of the end for him they are talking too early he's a great player who is contracted to us for the rest of the season and we will see what happens then”