Watkins rescues late point for Aston Villa at reborn Bournemouth

Gregor Hynds

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the team's second goal AFP

Ollie Watkins’ late goal rescued a point for Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium, as they drew 2-2 with AFC Bournemouth, to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games (W4).

Despite coming into this game at opposite ends of the table, both sides were quick to try and steal an early lead on the south coast, as Marcus Tavernier, Nicolò Zaniolo and Leon Bailey all tried efforts from distance.

Although it seemed like the visitors were starting to take control of the game, it was Bournemouth who went ahead when Ryan Christie found Antoine Semenyo in the box, and the Ghanaian hit a low shot past a helpless Emiliano Martínez, who is left to wait for his first clean sheet in eight games.

Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goalAFP

The opening 20 minutes continued to be action-packed, as Villa found a quick response through to magical dribbling of Bailey, who weaved through his opponents to pick out the bottom left corner.

The visitors thought they had flipped the game on its head, with Diego Carlos showing some surprisingly good finishing, placing his shot into the bottom-right corner, before VAR ruled it out for an offside in the build-up.

Leon Bailey of Aston Villa celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goalAFP

Both sides tried to gain the lead prior to the interval, but Bournemouth were unable to get through the Villa defence again and Neto had to pull off some smart saves in added time to keep it level at HT.

Bournemouth made another quick start in the second half, as Milos Kerkez passed to Dominic Solanke in the box, who fired into the bottom left corner to make it three league goals in as many games.

Dominic Solanke of AFC Bournemouth scores the team's second goalAFP

Again on the search for an equaliser, Villa took control of the possession as they tried to break down the hosts, but in their attempt to bring things level, Solanke nearly had his second, but his weak effort from six yards out was saved by Martínez.

Just when it looked like Bournemouth had all three points, Watkins scored in injury time to save a point for the visitors, as he met Moussa Diaby’s lofted pass to guide a header past Neto to make it all square.

The point will help Villa keep pace with their competitors for the top four, while the Cherries will be frustrated to have conceded so late on – they are unbeaten in three, but remain stuck in 16th.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Ryan Christie (AFC Bournemouth)