Evanilson scored a 96th-minute leveller to hand Bournemouth an unlikely point against Aston Villa in Saturday's Premier League contest at Villa Park.
Villa, as expected, were the dominant outfit in the early stages, with Morgan Rogers missing the target in the home side's first-half chance of the contest, before Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers somehow kept out a header from Amadou Onana.
The hosts thought that they had taken the lead in the 28th minute, with John McGinn finding the back of the net after smart work from Ollie Watkins, but the goal was disallowed following intervention from VAR, as the ball had gone out before the England striker delivered into his teammate.
Bournemouth's only real opportunity of the first period came for Justin Kluivert in the 34th minute, with the Dutchman's strike being saved by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, before Travers was again at full stretch down the other end to deny Ezri Konsa, and the two sides were level at the half-time interval.
Villa were also on top at the start of the second half, with Youri Tielemans having a shot deflected wide, before Travers made another brilliant stop to keep out a header from Watkins.
Substitute Jhon Duran also passed up an opportunity to make the breakthrough, firing wide from inside the box, as Bournemouth continued to come under pressure at Villa Park.
The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute, and it was an untidy goal, with Barkley managing to convert after Leon Bailey had headed into a dangerous area inside the Bournemouth penalty box.
Barkley's effort seemed to be the winner, but Bournemouth had other ideas, as Evanilson headed a free kick from Marcus Tavernier into the bottom corner to secure a dramatic share of the spoils for the Cherries.
The result has left Unai Emery's side in third spot in the Premier League table, boasting 18 points from their first nine games of the season, while Bournemouth have moved into 10th, now on 12 points from their first nine matches of 2024-25.
ASTON VILLA VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
76th min: Aston Villa 1-0 Bournemouth (Ross Barkley)
Villa finally break Bournemouth's resistance in the 76th minute of the contest, and it comes from Barkley, as the former Everton youngster bundles the ball home from close range after Bailey had headed down into a dangerous position.
96th min: Aston Villa 1-1 Bournemouth (Evanilson)
Bournemouth break Villa hearts! The Cherries come up with a late leveller at Villa Park, as Evanilson heads a free kick from Tavernier into the bottom corner. Incredible late finish at Villa Park.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARK TRAVERS
© Imago
Bournemouth goalkeeper Travers deserved something for his efforts on Saturday afternoon, having made a number of excellent saves throughout the course of the Premier League clash at Villa Park.
The 25-year-old made seven saves in total, while he was also calm and composed in possession of the ball, completing 21 of his 25 passes, and his side were able to claim a last-gasp point at Villa Park.
ASTON VILLA VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 57%-43% Bournemouth
Shots: Aston Villa 18-11 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Aston Villa 8-3 Bournemouth
Corners: Aston Villa 9-7 Bournemouth
Fouls: Aston Villa 12-14 Bournemouth
WHAT NEXT?
Villa will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, before heading to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League next Sunday.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, were knocked out of the EFL Cup at the end of August, so their next game comes at home to the champions Manchester City in the Premier League next Saturday.
Matt Law
