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Everton remain without a point in the Premier League this season, despite having gone two goals up in back-to-back matches. Dwight McNeil gave Everton the lead against the run of play on 16 minutes, before turning provider for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header.
The deficit awakened a previously struggling Watkins, who pulled one back before half-time by nodding home a Lucas Digne cross from close range. Watkins added to his tally after the break, tapping in after a mistake from Jack Harrison.
Duran played super-sub yet again, entering the pitch on 69 minutes before firing Villa into the lead seven minutes later with a blistering strike from over 29 yards out.
The victory lifts Villa into third place, only behind Liverpool on goal difference. Everton, meanwhile, remain stuck to the bottom having lost four out of four in the Premier League.
How the match unfolded
Everton’s first chance of the match provided their first goal. It took a piece of individual brilliance in the 16th minute, as McNeil won possession from Amadou Onana in the Villa defensive line before firing into the far bottom right corner from the top of the box.
The visitors were two goals to the good just 11 minutes later as McNeil turned provider to float an inch-perfect free-kick into the box off the right where Calvert-Lewin rose highest to head home.
But the hosts soon fought their way back into the match, halving the deficit before half-time. Digne chipped a ball from the left byline to the far post where Watkins arrived first to nod it past Jordan Pickford.
On 58 minutes, Villa had cancelled out Everton’s lead as Youri Tielemans’ long ball over the top was deflected into the path of Watkins by Everton’s Harrison, leaving the striker with little to do to tap home and double his tally.
Duran delivered spectacularly to complete Villa’s comeback in the 76th minute as he rifled a blistering shot screamer into the roof of the net, leaving Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez shocked.
Calvert-Lewin nearly levelled soon after to spoil the party but his shot bounced back off the crossbar.
Watkins back in the goals for Villa
Prior to Saturday, Watkins had not scored for Villa since 14 April, exactly five months ago to the day.
Against Everton, however, he proved instrumental in the hosts’ comeback as he provided both goals that brought Unai Emery’s side level with Everton, before Duran finished the job.
Watkins returned to Villa off the back of reaching the UEFA EURO 2024 final with England, having scored the decisive goal to put the Three Lions through in the semi-finals.
While the striker has been finding the right positions so far this season, his luck and clinical instinct were yet to arrive back from Germany with him.
It is a tough ask for any player to return to form after a shortened pre-season, but the expectations on Watkins are such that he is not afforded the luxury of being eased back into action with little scrutiny.
Today, however, Villa Park witnessed his impressive finishing return and, with it, his confidence. The England striker will no doubt kick on from here and continue adding to his tally in claret and blue.
Defensive deja vu for Dyche
Everton were left reeling in their final match before the international break having found themselves two goals up, only to lose 3-2 to a resurgent AFC Bournemouth side.
Sean Dyche will be left wondering if he is living in a recurring nightmare after his side once more find themselves leaving with zero points having had a two-goal lead.
While the visitors’ attacking instinct has visibly improved as they doubled their season’s goal tally inside the opening 30 minutes of their encounter at Villa Park, their defensive discipline remains lacking.
Dyche was forced into an early defensive change as Vitalii Mykolenko went down injured in the 26th minute, leading to the introduction of natural midfielder James Garner.
The substitute was at fault for Watkins’ first goal, giving Digne far too much space, but Everton’s 13 goals conceded in four matches cannot be pinned on one substitution.
Dyche looks increasingly under pressure after watching his side cede a comfortable lead twice in a row, as Everton remain pointless in the league.
Club reports
Match officials
Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan. Fourth official: David Webb. VAR: David Coote. Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
PREMIER LEAGUE