Aston Villa player ratings vs Bournemouth: One 'standout' 8/10 but two 5/10s

Aston Villa were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon as Evanilson’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser cancelled out Ross Barkley’s 76th-minute opener in a nervy clash at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s men played well in spells and saw a first-half goal from John McGinn ruled out, but Bournemouth, kept in the game by several outstanding saves from goalkeeper Mark Travers, grew into the encounter. In the end, the Cherries’ late push for an equaliser proved too strong as Villa were denied their sixth Premier League win of the season by the last chance of the game.

The hosts dictated possession in the opening exchanges and thoroughly enjoyed the vast space gifted by Bournemouth’s man-to-man approach. The chances racked up quickly, too, as Morgan Rogers flashed a first-time shot just wide, Youri Tielemans tested Travers at the goalkeeper’s near post and Ollie Watkins, who was heavily involved with his link-up play, saw a tame header saved.

McGinn thought he’d netted the opening goal in the 28th minute but the Villa skipper saw his clinical curled effort ruled out. Watkins worked hard to try and keep a low Jacob Ramsey cross in play at the byline before cutting the ball back to McGinn to find the net, but a VAR check discovered the ball had rolled narrowly out of play. It was a tight call and the images didn’t show any conclusive evidence either way.

Amadou Onana went close as he directed a beautiful header toward the far post from a Lucas Digne free-kick, but he was denied by a wonderful diving stop from Travers. Ezri Konsa couldn’t beat the away shot-stopper either, as he struck on target from the edge of the area.

The Cherries occasionally looked a threat on the transition - especially approaching the interval - as they profited from their high press. There were plenty of speculative efforts but Emiliano Martinez was rarely troubled, forced into just two first half saves to deny long-rangers from Justin Kluivert and Dango Ouattara.

The second period started a lot slower than the first as neither team were able to gain any real momentum. It took until the 62nd minute for the next real opportunity as Pau Torres struck from 25 yards but had his strike picked out of the top corner by Travers. Watkins then went close with a header in the six-yard box but once again Travers was there to make a superb reaction stop.

All four corners of Villa Park were convinced substitute Jhon Duran had opened the scoring in the 74th minute as the Colombian was teed up by Watkins and struck towards the bottom corner. The strike was clean and the whip on the ball was fierce but Duran’s shot fizzed narrowly wide.

That missed opportunity was soon forgotten when Barkley broke the deadlock just a few moments later, roaring Villa Park into life. Ian Maatsen’s dinked cross to the far post was headed back into the danger area by Leon Bailey and Barkley reacted quickest to slide on the ground, finding the net.

Bournemouth, pushing for an equaliser, had two huge penalty shouts turned down by referee Chris Kavanagh. Matty Cash was maybe fortunate as he slid in on Antoine Semenyo, but Kavanagh waved away the Cherries’ protests, instead booking Semenyo for simulation. Cash got the slightest touch on the ball, probably saving his bacon.

Then, at the very death, Evanilson levelled the scoring for Bournemouth to break Villa hearts. Barkley gave away a free-kick in a dangerous wide area and Marcus Tavernier’s delivery from the set-piece was faultless, setting up Evanilson for a fine header into the far bottom corner. Villa are up to third but not in the fashion they will have wished.

Here’s how BirminghamWorld reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the players.