Bradford’s refusal to accept the depressing fate usually reserved for Premiership newcomers apparently knows no bounds.

Largely outplayed for most of the contest against an in-form Villa, thanks largely to an outstanding contribution from Paul Merson,
Dean Windass’ 75th minute equaliser preserved an unbeaten home record that now extends to nine games.

But for a stunning reflex save by Peter Enckelman eight minutes from time, pushing a header from substitute and debutant Jorge Cadete onto the bar, City would have been celebrating all three points.

Their league position and no-nonsense style may not yet be drawing jealous glances from the likes of nearby Leeds, but it would be a brave man who would wager against Paul Jewell’s team starting the new season in the top flight.

Aston Villa manager John Gregory is certainly well placed to comment on the vagaries of his profession. Second favourite with the bookmakers to lose his job before the start of the season, and regularly supposed to be within one defeat of dismissal before Christmas, this is rapidly turning into a season of unqualified success.

Semi-finalists in both cup competitions, the FA Cup final still a possibility, a run of only one defeat in 15 league games has also left Villa with a growing, if outside, chance of reaching the Champions League.

By the time the excellent Paul Merson shot them into a deserved 38th minute lead, Villa looked well on course for another three points and Bradford were in danger of losing at home for the first time since mid-October.

Merson, instrumental in Villa’s FA Cup win at Everton on Sunday, took a short corner to Benito Carbone, gathered the return and cut, unimpeded, into the home area where he curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Two minutes earlier he had sent a 25-yard shot dipping over the crossbar and, prior to that, had spearheaded a Villa counter-attack that ended with Merson forcing Aidan Davison into a save at full-stretch and at the second attempt. With Carbone exerting an almost equal influence on the contest, his persistence and sleight of foot a constant threat, Villa were well in control by the interval.

A Gareth Whalley header, comfortably caught by the Villa keeper early after the restart, heralded the promise of better to come from Bradford. Ultimately, it was Cadete’s arrival as a 75th minute replacement that coincided with City’s rescue. David Wetherall’s powerful header from a Peter Beagrie cross was kept out superbly by Enckelman but, from the resulting right-wing corner, Windass rose unmarked to head in Beagrie’s cross from close range.