Axel Tuanzebe, who enjoyed three separate loan spells with Villa between 2018 and 2022, was sent off on his return to Villa Park after receiving two yellow cards in the first half.

Ipswich had their work cut out from there, but took a surprise lead early in the second half when Liam Delap beat Emiliano Martinez with a clever near-post flick.

A victory would have taken Ipswich level on points with 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Watkins broke its resolve on the rebound after half-time substitute Marcus Rashford struck the woodwork with a wonderful free-kick.

Villa pushed for a winner in the dying stages, but Marco Asensio missed two big chances after coming off the bench, drawing a fine save from recent signing Palmer from the second opportunity.

Palmer, who joined from West Bromwich Albion on transfer deadline day, saved the best of his six saves for last, adjusting brilliantly to tip a deflected effort from Morgan Rogers around the post and preserve Ipswich's point.

While Kieran McKenna's side remains in the relegation zone, it leapfrogged Leicester City to go 18th on goal difference, two points behind Wolves.

Villa dropped one place to ninth after Fulham's 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Unai Emery's men now six points off the top four.