Paul Merson predicts Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa, makes top four prediction

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Paul Merson has now made a prediction ahead of the Premier League clash between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Tractor Boys are still searching for their first win of the season as they languish down in 17th place – whereas the Villans sit comfortably in third after four wins from five Premier League outings so far this season.

Position	Team	PlayedMP	WonW	DrawnD	LostL	ForGF	AgainstGA	DiffGD	PointsPts
1	Man CityManchester City	5	4	1	0	13	5	8	13
2	LiverpoolLiverpool	5	4	0	1	10	1	9	12
3	Aston VillaAston Villa	5	4	0	1	10	7	3	12
4	ArsenalArsenal	5	3	2	0	8	3	5	11
5	ChelseaChelsea	5	3	1	1	11	5	6	10
6	NewcastleNewcastle	5	3	1	1	7	6	1	10
7	BrightonBrighton	5	2	3	0	8	4	4	9
8	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	5	2	3	0	6	4	2	9
9	FulhamFulham	5	2	2	1	7	5	2	8
10	TottenhamTottenham	5	2	1	2	9	5	4	7
11	Man UtdManchester United	5	2	1	2	5	5	0	7
12	BrentfordBrentford	5	2	0	3	7	9	-2	6
13	B’mouthBournemouth	5	1	2	2	5	8	-3	5
14	West HamWest Ham	5	1	1	3	5	9	-4	4
15	LeicesterLeicester	5	0	3	2	6	8	-2	3
16	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	5	0	3	2	4	7	-3	3
17	IpswichIpswich	5	0	3	2	3	8	-5	3
18	SouthamptonSouthampton	5	0	1	4	2	9	-7	1
19	EvertonEverton	5	0	1	4	5	14	-9	1
20	WolvesWolves	5	0	1	4	5	14	-9	1

So, what does Paul Merson expect to happen in Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa? Let’s take a look…

What Paul Merson said about Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa

The man who made 144 appearances for Aston Villa has now tipped his old side to overcome Kieran McKenna at Portman Road on Sunday.

Merson wrote for Sportskeeda: “Aston Villa are flying at the moment. They play Bayern Munich in the Champions League at Villa Park after this game, who would’ve thought that ten years ago?

“They can’t get distracted by that game because they have to sort this out first. You don’t want to be the first team to be beaten by Ipswich. I actually feel Ipswich can cause problems to Villa early on in the game, but if the visitors can ride that early pressure and keep their attitude right, they will get over the line easily by the end of the game. 0-2.”

The 56-year-old also made a comment about whether Aston Villa can qualify for the UEFA Champions League for a second successive season.

Merson added: “I’m backing Villa to have the edge over the other teams to finish inside the top four this season. However, it also depends on how much they get involved in the Champions League, that’s a lot of games to deal with. Like I said, they must not let their European adventures become a distraction, that’s the challenge for Villa.”

Familiar face

Aston Villa fans will know all about one Ipswich Town player ahead of the clash on Sunday – Axel Tuanzebe.

The Ipswich Town No.40 spent three separate stints on loan at Villa Park between 2018 and 2022, making 46 appearances in total before joining the Tractor Boys on a permanent basis in September 2023.

It was said that Tuanzebe wanted a permanent move to Aston Villa before he eventually ended up at Portman Road, and after helping the Villans return to – and stay in – the Premier League, he will surely get a warm round of applause from the away supporters on Sunday.