Evanilson’s stoppage-time header delivered Bournemouth a point from Villa Park, as Aston Villa were frustrated by Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers in a 1-1 draw.
Two wonderful managers from Spain’s Basque Country, Unai Emery and Andoni Iraola, met at Villa Park on Saturday and provided a fulfilling spectacle.
Emery made a surprise shift at halftime despite clear advantages in first-half danger, putting Ross Barkley in for Amadou Onana. It paid off, as Barkley scored with about 15 minutes left in the 90.
That wouldn’t be enough for Villa to avoid dropping points after a midweek Champions League affair, as Iraola’s double sub of James Tavernier and Evanilson teamed up for a goal six minutes into stoppage time.
Villa’s 18 points inch into third above Arsenal before the Gunners play Liverpool on Sunday. Villa are five points behind leaders Man City.
Bournemouth pull into 10th place on 12 points, above Newcastle on tiebreakers before the Magpies meet Chelsea on Sunday.
Basque brilliance with a dash of Irish defiance
Unai Emery had a plan. So did Andoni Iraola. And the Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao managers did a great job making sure their players knew what to do, then making tweaks to keep this a captivating affair. Yes, maybe Villa run away with this if they were not tasked with a Champions League match versus Bologna at midweek. But the subs were spot-on as Leon Bailey set up Ross Barkley’s goal and James Tavernier cued up Evanilson’s equalizer, four-for-four in terms of changes getting on the score sheet.
The real star is the reason this game got to the second half with Bournemouth alive for a point or three. Twenty-five year old Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers was only in the game after an injury to Kepa Arrizabalaga, and the Republic of Ireland backstop was very good and easily the visitors’ Man of the Match if not for both teams.
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Villa host Crystal Palace in League Cup play on Wednesday, then go to Tottenham at 9am ET Sunday, Nov. 3.
Bournemouth host Manchester City at 11am Saturday.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (October 26)
Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth final score: 1-1
Ross Barkley 76', Evanilson 90+6'
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth live updates — By Nick Mendola
Evanilson goal at the death! Villa 1-1 Bournemouth (90+6')
They subbed in together in the 66th minute, and they’ve teamed up to win the Cherries a point a half-dozen minutes into stoppage time.
James Tavernier’s free kick clears the first man and the second is a leaping Evanilson, who glances his header past Emiliano Martinez!
Ross Barkley goal! Aston Villa 1-0 Bournemouth (76th minute)
The halftime sub provides the breakthrough for Villa.
Ollie Watkins is on the left and sends Ian Maatsen toward the touch line.
Maatsen’s cross is cleverly nodded toward Barkley, who acrobatically gets the ball over the line.
Bournemouth make attacking subs
Andoni Iraola brings off Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert.
Into the fray? James Tavernier and Evanilson.
0-0, 66'.
Travers again
Bournemouth don’t think Pau Torres will shoot. They still don’t. More time passes.
Pau has a dig from 25 yards and Travers does well to get to his right and save it.
Now he’s required again to deny Watkins off the ensuing corner... for another corner.
Super sub of the season enters
Jhon Duran comes on for Morgan Rogers in the 57th minute.
Duran is Villa’s leading scorer but rarely starts due to Ollie Watkins (and Rogers).
Villa come close twice
The second half has started in decidedly Villa fashion, and they nearly open the scoring off a corner kick.
Ross Barkley replaced Amadou Onana at the break as Villa want more danger in their possession.
Halftime — Aston Villa 0-0 Bournemouth
Mark Travers is the surprise star of the half, with three saves (two of them quite good).
McGinn’s had a goal taken off the board, but it is genuinely a game for either side as Bournemouth have had nearly half of the ball.
And should Villa’s midweek legs weigh heavier late?
John McGinn scores beauty but...
Ollie Watkins saves a ball on the touchline and Cherries players are sure it’s gone out.
Watkins finds McGinn, who shows his pinpoint accuracy again with a brilliant finish.
VAR takes a look and it’s “one of those” where there’s green between the ball and the line but is any of the ball touching the line.
VAR determines yes. No goal. 0-0, 30'.
Travers thriving early
Mark Travers is playing well in his second start of the year. The first was at Kepa Arrizabalaga’s parent club Chelsea.
This one’s down to a Kepa injury, and he’s twice made very big saves.
Positive vibes both ways
Villa have had the first three shots, but Bournemouth look well-drilled in their plan both with the ball — 40% early — and on the counter.
Promising signs, but can the Cherries keep with it and hope thVilla’s midweek legs catch up to them.
No Kepa today, but Mark Travers has done well to stop a well-created Youri Tielemans shot.
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins
Bournemouth lineup
Travers, Kerkez, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Araujo, Cook, Senesi, Christie, Kluivert, Ouattara, Semenyo, Unal
Aston Villa team news, focus
Villa’s injury issues have subsided at the perfect time with John McGinn, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa all back fit, with McGinn and Konsa starting in the win against Bologna and Mings, a long-term absentee, on the bench. Villa’s squad is ridiculously strong and resting Ollie Watkins for their Champions League clash means he will start against Bournemouth on Saturday. The only player not available is Jaden Philogene was was sent off for picking up two yellows at Fulham last weekend and will serve a one-game suspension. ‘
OUT: Jaden Philogene-Bidace (suspension)
Bournemouth team news, focus
The Cherries have no injury issues and USMNT captain Tyler Adams is being eased back in. Adams could feature off the bench. Luis Sinisterra’s injury status is questionable but he’s one of a number of in-form attackers. Having a host of attacking players pushing for starts due to good form is a lovely problem for Andoni Iraola.
OUT: Alex Scott (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Luis Sinisterra (other)
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth prediction
This feels like it will be a proper end-to-end game with both teams pressing high and taking risks to leave themselves exposed on the counter. Expect plenty of goals and then plenty of handshakes at the final whistle, with so much respect from these two teams who are heading in the right direction. Aston Villa 2-2 Bournemouth.
