Ollie Watkins said Jhon Duran had produced a “moment of magic” with a 30-yard winner as Aston Villa capitalised on Everton spurning a two-goal lead for a second consecutive game to beat the bottom side in the Premier League at Villa Park.
Dwight McNeil slotted the visitors in front in the 16th minute before Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled their lead with a header 11 minutes later, only for Watkins, who had an early effort blocked off the line, to score twice in 23 minutes either side of half-time for his first goals of the season.
“Everyone knows what he can do and, when he’s got the opportunity, he shows it,” Watkins told Sky Sports of Duran’s winner 14 minutes from time. “It’s one of the best [goals] we’ve seen.”
Just as they had at home to Bournemouth immediately before the international break, Everton then saw what had been a 2-0 advantage become a 3-2 defeat as Villa moved third, although Calvert-Lewin sent a shot against the woodwork two minutes later.
Everton have not won away since December 2023 and join Southampton as the only teams to have lost their first four top-flight matches this season.
“THAT is a goal to take your breath away!” 😱
What a strike from Jhon Durán! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/QSVcn8AUQt
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
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Watkins goals vs Everton
Watkins said his relatively slow start to the season was a result of his impressive participation in England’s Uefa Euro 2024 campaign.
England lost the final 2-1 to Spain little more than a month before Aston Villa returned to Premier League action on August 17.
“A lot of the boys are getting back up to fitness,” added Watkins. “I still don’t feel 100%. I took some time off during the international break.
“I don’t want to miss too many matches, though. I’m disappointed I didn’t get the hat-trick – I should be coming off with the match ball – but I’ll settle for the two.”
Right place at the right time for Ollie Watkins and Aston Villa are level just before the hour mark! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/0RR7oa19eo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
Everton results ‘tough’
Everton manager Sean Dyche told the broadcaster that he felt his side are “certainly taking some knocks”. “Every mistake seems to be a goal and every chance, we don’t quite capitalise on,” he rued.
“Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the margins again. It’s a tough one to take, for different reasons than the last game. We’re down to a low squad anyway, so it’s been a challenge, without a shadow of a doubt.
“We’re making high-quality chances. At the minute, we’ve got to score as many as it takes to win a game. That’s been a challenge since I’ve been at the club. We can’t keep leaking goals like that.”
Everton host Southampton in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm BST), while Aston Villa visit Switzerland to face Young Boys in their first ever Champions League match on the same evening (5.45pm).
