Evanilson's header in injury time gives Bournemouth a draw against Aston Villa | first division

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Unai Emery looked ready to celebrate his two years at the helm of Aston Villa with the victory that would have kept his team three points behind Manchester City at the top of the table. first division when Evanilson, Bournemouth's £31.7million substitute, headed in an unexpected equalizer after six minutes of added time with the penultimate touch of the game.

The Brazilian, signed as a replacement for Dominic Solanke from Porto this summer, deftly headed a header into the far corner of Emiliano Martínez's goal following a free kick from Marcus Tavernier, even with Mark Travers, the goalkeeper who had kept Bournemouth in the game with some brilliant saves, ready for the last chance.

With Ross Barkley coming off the bench to score his first Villa goal in the 76th minute, this means eight goals for each of these clubs this season have been scored or assisted by substitutes. But the most dramatic part of this match came when Barkley slid in to foul Tavernier on the left flank, resulting in the 13th yellow card of the game, when Villa looked home and dry. At least this gives Emery, who joined the club two years ago last Thursday with Villa just above the relegation zone, something to improve on. “We are always being very demanding,” he said. “We can still do better.”

Villa was not at his best, but whether this was another case of what follows the Lord Mayor's show depends on your perspective. This was certainly a better performance than the goalless draw against Manchester United that followed the euphoric victory over Bayern Munich; but then a third straight European victory, over Bologna on Tuesday, was no emotional boost for Villa.

In many ways, the 76-minute stalemate was simply a case of Travers, replacing the injured Kepa Arrizabalaga, keeping Villa at bay with some brilliant saves and a VAR line call against Ollie Watkins in the first half.

Watkins was adjudged to have cleared the ball from the byline before sending on John McGinn to deflect a shot in the 28th minute after Jacob Ramsey had escaped down the left inside channel. It was a very short decision, but Emery was kind enough not to complain, and not just because two Bournemouth claims for late penalties were not granted.

“Today the referee did a fantastic job,” said the Villa coach. “The ball was out, very tight, but I accept it. Leon Bailey, the ball touched his hand but it was not a penalty. And the referee looked very carefully at (Matty) Cash's tackle on (Antoine) Semenyo. So I accept it (McGinn's disallowed goal) completely because I believe in VAR.”

Ross Barkley gives Aston Villa the lead in the 76th minute. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Travers proceeded to make a series of memorable saves as he enjoyed his return to the starting lineup, most notably Ezri Konsa's powerful shot five minutes before the break. Shortly after the hour mark, he knocked down a great goal from Pau Torres and then avoided Watkins' header. Crucial saves had to be made when Bournemouth, winners of Arsenal last Saturday, showed their determination.

As he did against Bologna here on Tuesday, Emery replaced Amadou Onana, partly because he was on a yellow card, with the more attacking Barkley at half-time to partner the imperious Youri Tielemans. With John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers playing against Watkins, Villa were set to win. It's not like his sides are sitting still either.

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At the top of the Champions League, these remain exciting days for Villa, who have lost just once this season in their first 13 games. Barkley scored after Ian Maatsen crossed for Bailey to head down and Barkley to attack him from close range.

Andoni Iraola, the Bournemouth manager, can be pleased that his team took four points off the Champions League sides last week. “I think we played much better against Arsenal,” he reflected. “We deserved those three points; Today we competed well, but we did not play well. But sometimes, especially in the Premier League, in this type of setting, with the atmosphere that is created in this stadium, which is lovely, you have to put a lot of value on showing character and helping each other. So I value the point a lot because it is very difficult to come here and get something.”



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