Aston Villa 3-2 Everton: Duran screamer completes comeback for hosts

Jhon Duran’s screamer and Ollie Watkins’ brace completed a stunning comeback for Aston Villa as they fought back to beat Everton 3-2 at Villa Park.

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 11 minutes later.

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 30 yards out.

Calvert-Lewin nearly levelled soon after to spoil the party but his shot bounced back off the crossbar.

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.

3 – Seven of Jhon Durán’s eight Premier League goals have come as a substitute, with all three of his goals in the competition this season being winning goals from the bench. Indeed, no player has scored more winners as a substitute in a single Premier League campaign. DuranDuran pic.twitter.com/Ux7E5rtwAE

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 14, 2024

Data Debrief

Everton are now only the second side in Premier League history to lose back-to-back games after leading by two or more goals in both. The other side was their opponents in the last match – Bournemouth (October/November 2022).

It marked the sixth time that Aston Villa have come back from two or more goals in the Premier League.

Now, after just four games of the season, Duran has scored three winners from the bench. No player has scored more winners as a substitute in a single Premier League campaign.