Ipswich had several promising moments on the break but Jack Clarke and Delap both missed gilt-edged openings to move them level before the break.
However, the home side were not to be denied and an excellent solo run and finish from Delap 18 minutes from time earned them a share of the spoils.
The result means Villa stay in fifth, two points off top spot.
Ipswich remain winless but with four points from six matches they move out of the drop zone and up to 15th place.
Next up, Ipswich continue their search for a first win since making a long-awaited Premier League return when they visit West Ham United on Saturday.
Villa have a huge week with two significant home games against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday and then Manchester United on Sunday.
The August reversal at home to Arsenal had been the only blot on Villa’s copybook prior to this contest, but Ipswich exposed enough flaws in their armour to leave Villans with some unexpected concerns heading into a significant week for the club.
The showdown with Bayern Munich in Europe’s elite competition shows just how far Villa have come in recent years, with Unai Emery continuing to push them to greater heights.
Whether they have the squad to maintain a serious push at home and abroad remains to be seen and defensively they are suspect.
Indeed, with better finishing Ipswich may well have been looking at a very different situation at full time.
The good news for Villa is that Watkins appears to be hitting form again, and Emery’s men have shown over the past year and a half that Villa Park can be a real fortress regardless of the calibre of opposition.
