Watkins with double victory: Villa beats Everton in thriller

Ollie Watkins scored twice and Jhon Duran scored a wonder goal as Aston Villa overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat Everton 3-2 at Villa Park on Saturday.

The home side had the better of the opening stages, but Everton took a surprise and unexpected lead when Dwight McNeil took the ball from former Toffee Amadou Onana, headed towards goal and steered a shot from the edge of the box past Emiliano Martinez.

Sean Dyche’s side, who had lost all three of their opening Premier League games, doubled their lead before the 30th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed in a McNeil set piece from the edge of the six-yard box.

The visitors’ two-goal lead did not last long, however, as Watkins ended his goal drought and scored his first goal of the season in his 150th Premier League game with a header at the far post to reduce the deficit.

Everton had a golden chance to extend their lead and restore the two-goal advantage when Calvert-Lewin was released one-on-one, but he hesitated in front of goal as Ezri Konsa charged back and pushed the ball out of the danger zone.

And the away side were soon to rue the missed opportunity as Villa equalised just five minutes later. Youri Tielemans fired a cross into the box which Watkins brought down and superbly slotted past Jordan Pickford to put the hosts ahead with his second goal of the game.

Villa finally completed the comeback in impressive fashion when substitute Duran took possession from distance, took the ball from his feet with one touch and then fired it perfectly into the top left corner from 27 yards.

Almost immediately, Calvert-Lewin’s shot rebounded off the underside of the crossbar and Everton threatened to equalise, but the home side secured three valuable points.