Aston Villa 2-2 West Brom

Keinan Davis’ maiden Premier League goal in the 92^nd minute secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against midlands neighbours West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park.

The striker pounced on a defensive mix-up to poke home from close range and secure a deserved share of the spoils in injury time, with Villa going close to sealing all three points courtesy of John McGinn and Wesley – who made his long-awaited comeback as a late substitute.

Anwar El Ghazi’s ninth-minute penalty, his seventh Premier League goal of the season, handed Villa an early lead, with the Dutchman finding the net for the fifth time in the last five meetings between the two sides.

But the Baggies levelled courtesy of a spot-kick of their own in the 23^rd minute, Matheus Pereira converting, before the Brazilian curled a set-piece against the crossbar just before the break.

Mbaye Diagne fired Albion ahead two minutes after the restart, Tyrone Mings unfortunate to get the final touch and deflect past Emi Martinez.

Villa applied plenty of pressure in search of an equaliser, Bertrand Traore and substitute Davis both hitting a post, while Kyle Bartley headed against the woodwork for the visitors.

But Davis had the final say, having only been introduced off the bench in the latter stages, to ensure an enthralling derby encounter finished all square.

Dean Smith made three changes for the clash, with El Ghazi, Ahmed Elmohamady and Ross Barkley all named in Villa’s starting XI.

Wesley also made his return to the matchday squad, named among the substitutes as he took the next step on his road to recovery, 480 days since suffering knee ligament damage on New Year’s Day in 2020.

And two of those recalled were crucial in Villa’s early opener as Barkley was tripped in the penalty area by Semi Ajayi and El Ghazi stepped up to convert from the spot.

Pereira sent a free-kick over the crossbar for the visitors but the hosts largely dominated the opening 20 minutes, only to see Albion level with a penalty of their own, Pereira converting after Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have fouled Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The leveller handed the visitors added confidence and Okay Yokuslu sent a headed chance off target before El Ghazi forced a save from Sam Johnstone at the other end and Traore fired across goal.

An end-to-end opening 45 minutes came to a close with Emi Martinez producing a great save to deny Maitland-Niles before Pereira sent an inswinging free-kick against the crossbar.

Yet, just two minutes after the restart, West Brom took the lead when Diagne capitalised on a defensive slip from Konsa to pick up the ball, surge into the penalty area and beat Martinez with a shot which deflected off captain Mings.

Villa went on the front foot, Barkley seeing his strike deflected narrowly off target by Bartley before Elmohamady’s fierce volley was parried away by Johnstone.

Traore rattled the near post from a tight angle in the 62^nd minute before Ollie Watkins surged through one-on-one only to be thwarted by Johnstone.

Bartley headed against a post for Albion before Martinez tipped the rebound on to the crossbar and over, with the Argentinian goalkeeper denying Pereira from the edge of the area in the 76^th minute.

Smith introduced Jacob Ramsey and Davis off the bench, with the latter testing Johnstone after a neat turn in the box, before Wesley added extra attacking impetus.

And it was Davis who was alert to capitalise on a defensive mix-up between Bartley and Johnstone and ensure Villa claimed a deserved point, with McGinn and Wesley going close to completing the late turnaround only for the clash to end honours even.