Unai Emery appeared ready to celebrate his two years as Aston Villa manager with the victory that would have kept his team within three points of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League when Evanilson, Bournemouth's £31.7m replacement, appeared ready Pfund scored an unexpected equalizer with his header after six minutes of stoppage time with the penultimate touch of the ball of the game.

The Brazilian, who was signed from Porto in the summer to replace Dominic Solanke, skillfully fired a header into the far corner of Emiliano Martínez's net from a Marcus Tavernier free-kick, even finding Mark Travers, the Bournemouth goalkeeper, with a few brilliant saves in the game, ready for the last chance.

With Ross Barkley coming on as a 76th-minute substitute to score his first goal for Villa, this means eight goals have been scored or assisted by substitutes for each of these clubs this season. But the most dramatic part of the game was when Barkley cut inside and fouled Tavernier on the left, triggering the 13th yellow card of the game as Villa appeared to be 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 very demanding,” he said. “We can do better.”

Villa weren't at their best, but whether this was another case of what follows the 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 the third European Cup win in a row against Bologna on Tuesday was less of an emotional highlight for Villa.

In many ways the stalemate, which lasted 76 minutes, was simply down to Travers deputizing for the injured Kepa Arrizabalaga and keeping Villa at bay in the first half with some brilliant saves and a VAR line call on Ollie Watkins.

Watkins was found to have pulled the ball back down the baseline before setting up John McGinn to drive home a shot in the 28th minute after Jacob Ramsey had escaped down the inside left channel. It was a hair-raising decision but Emery was gracious enough not to complain, and not just because two of Bournemouth's late penalty claims were not upheld.

“Today the referee did a fantastic job,” said the Villa manager. “The ball was out, very close, but I accept it. Leon Bailey, the ball touched his hand but it wasn't a penalty. And (Matty) Cash's tackle on (Antoine) Semenyo, which the referee looked at very closely. That’s why I completely accept it (McGinn’s disallowed goal) because I believe in VAR.”

Travers made a number of memorable saves and enjoyed his return to the starting lineup, not least thanks to Ezri Konsa's powerful shot five minutes before half-time. Just after the hour, he tipped over Pau Torres' humdinger and then parried Watkins' header. They proved to be crucial saves as Bournemouth, winners over Arsenal last Saturday, showed their resolve.

As on Tuesday against Bologna, Emery replaced Amadou Onana at half-time – partly because he had a yellow card – with the more attacking Barkley to partner the confident Youri Tielemans. With John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers lining up against Watkins, Villa had every chance of winning. It's not like their full-backs are sitting back either.

As Champions League leaders, it is still exciting days for Villa, who have lost just once in their first 13 games this season. Barkley scored after Ian Maatsen laid a cross to Bailey, which Barkley headed down from close range.

Andoni Iraola, the Bournemouth coach, can be pleased that his team took four points from Champions League teams last week. “I think we played a lot better against Arsenal,” he said. “We deserve these three points; Today we did well, but we didn't play well. But sometimes, especially away in the Premier League, in such an environment, with the atmosphere that exists in this stadium, it's wonderful, you have to put a lot of emphasis on showing character and helping each other. Then I really appreciate this point because it is very difficult to come here and get something.”