Aston Villa 3-2 Everton

Aston Villa recovered from 2-0 down to beat Everton in the Premier League at Villa Park, with Jhon Durán completing the comeback in spectacular style.

The Toffees took the lead against the run of play through Dwight McNeil on 16 minutes before doubling their advantage via the head of Dominic Calvert-Lewin ten minutes later.

Ollie Watkins played a key role in getting his side back into the game, opening his account for the season with a header before half-time and then equalising on 58 minutes – a goal which took him up to second on the club’s list of top Premier League goalscorers with 61.

An incredible fightback was complete on 76 minutes when Durán sparked pandemonium in the stands by lashing a ferocious drive beyond Jordan Pickford from 35 yards out. 

Calvert-Lewin crashed a shot against the bar as Everton threatened again, but the hosts held firm to pick up a first home win of the campaign. 

Jacob Ramsey was in from the start in place of the injured Leon Bailey as Unai Emery made one change from his side’s 2-1 victory at Leicester City before the international break.

The hosts started strongly and penned Everton back inside their own half for the first ten minutes, with only a goalline clearance from Iliman Ndiaye denying Watkins the opening goal.

Former Toffee Digne and Ramsey were giving Ashley Young a torrid time down Villa’s left-hand side, linking up to create another opening for Watkins that was sliced wide as the striker stretched to reach the cross.

But it was the visitors who stunned Villa Park by netting the opener completely against the run of play after 16 minutes when McNeil robbed Amadou Onana of possession before firing a left-footed shot across Emi Martínez and inside the far post.

Things got worse for the home side when Everton converted their attempt on target ten minutes later, with Calvert-Lewin glancing McNeil’s free-kick into the net.

Falling two behind failed to fluster Villa, who opened their opponents up and pulled one back when Digne’s floated cross was attacked and diverted in by Watkins at the back post.

The half-time break did little to alter the flow of the match as Everton sat deep and allowed the home side to monopolise possession.

Morgan Rogers saw a drilled shot saved by Pickford at one end while at the other, Ezri Konsa did superbly to race back and steal the ball away from Calvert-Lewin as the striker attempted to round Martínez.

That interception proved even more crucial when Watkins doubled his tally for the day to level the scores on 58 minutes.

Youri Tielemans’ through ball was diverted into the England international’s path and he had the simple task of slotting past Pickford from close range.

Durán and Ian Maatsen were summoned from the bench as Villa pushed for a winner, and the former saw Watkins shoot wide after pulling the ball back into his path.

Durán had come off the bench to score in two of the team’s opening three matches and he repeated the trick once again in spectacular style, arrowing in a rasping drive from 35 yards out to send the stadium into raptures.

Falling behind for the first time sparked a response from the away side, who came within inches of making it 3-3 when Calvert-Lewin thundered an effort against the crossbar.

Martínez took the pressure off his teammates with some big catches as Everton threw men forward late on, helping Villa to claim a third win from four Premier League games.