OLLIE Watkins headed in a last-gasp equaliser to deny Cherries an impressive win over Aston Villa at Vitality Stadium.

Villa started the weekend just two points off the top of the Premier League table, and looked to be coming away from the south coast empty-handed, with goals from Antoine Semenyo and Dominic Solanke either side of a Leon Bailey equaliser.

But, at the death, Watkins superbly guided a Moussa Diaby cross into the net to earn his side a 2-2 draw.

There was just one change to the line-up from the win at Sheffield United last time out, Milos Kerkez coming in for the injured Lloyd Kelly.

Star striker Watkins was deemed fit to start for Villa.

Cherries came flying out of the traps. Marcus Tavernier, fresh from his brace at Bramall Lane, had an early sighter, cutting in from the right and firing past the post.

Nicolo Zaniolo, a one-time Cherries transfer target, fired over at the other end shortly afterwards, before Neto was called into action to tip away a low Douglas Luiz effort.

The deadlock was broken on 10 minutes. A poor pass from centre-back Diego Carlos was cut out by Ryan Christie, who slipped it in to Semenyo in the box. The Ghana international got the ball under control, before slotting in low past Emiliano Martinez.

Semenyo was causing havoc down the right and almost got his second, his low strike stopped by the legs of Martinez.

Villa then levelled. Bailey cut in from the left, away from Kerkez and Lewis Cook, before lashing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

Less than two minutes later, the visitors thought they had completed the turnaround. A deep free-kick from Luiz was flicked on by Watkins to Lucas Digne. The Frenchman turned it on for Carlos, who slotted in from close range after some suspect defending from Cherries.

However, there was a reprieve as a lengthy VAR check ruled Digne marginally offside in the build-up.

Cherries got themselves back on the front foot, Semenyo’s rising drive from a tight angle tipped over by the fingertips of Martinez.

Andoni Iraola’s men were enjoying a good spell against their in-form opponents, but again found World Cup winner Martinez in their way.

Christie showed neat skill to beat Luiz and cross for Solanke, but his close-range effort was expertly saved by the Argentinean keeper.

Villa created the half’s final big chance, a low cross met by an unmarked Luiz at the back post, but his shot was too close to Neto, who stood big to make the stop.

Within seven minutes of the second half, Cherries were back in front.

Justin Kluivert knocked a high ball down for Kerkez, who broke forwards and cross low for Solanke. The striker spun past defender Pau Torres and calmly converted.

Martinez was alert again soon after to keep his side in it. Tavernier broke down the right and crossed for Solanke, who ghosted beyond Carlos, only for the goalkeeper to spread himself and save from point-blank range.

Cherries had the frame of the goal to thank for preserving their lead as the game moved into the final 20 minutes.

Substitute Jhon Duran took aim from the edge of the box, his shot deflecting off Marcos Senesi and spinning onto the post.

Cherries looked to be closing out the win, only for Villa to snatch an equaliser as the game moved into stoppage time.

Moussa Diaby crossed for Watkins, who brilliantly headed home for a share of the spoils.

Cherries: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez (Mepham, 84); Tavernier (Ouattara, 90+3), Cook, Christie, Semenyo (Sinisterra, 70); Kluivert (Billing, 70); Solanke.

Unused subs: Rothwell, Traore, Brooks, Moore, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Kluivert, Semenyo, Senesi, Christie, Kerkez.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Konsa (Cash, 74), Carlos, Torres, Digne (Moreno, 74); Bailey (Diaby, 74), Tielemans, Luiz, McGinn (Duran, 65); Zaniolo (Ramsey, h-t), Watkins.

Unused subs: Lenglet, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam, Olsen (g/k).

Booked: Torres, Zaniolo, Duran.

Referee: Thomas Bramall.

VAR: Christopher Kavanagh.