Aston Villa staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Everton 3-2 at Villa Park, thanks to a stunning late goal from substitute Jhon Duran and a brace from Ollie Watkins.
Despite dominating the early exchanges, Villa found themselves trailing when Dwight McNeil capitalized on a mistake by Amadou Onana to score the fastest goal of the season just 22 seconds into the match. Everton quickly doubled their lead when Dominic Calvert-Lewin found the net with a header following a right-wing free-kick from McNeil, leaving Villa supporters stunned.
However, with just a few minutes remaining before halftime, Villa struck back through Ollie Watkins, who finished calmly after a defensive lapse from Everton. The momentum shifted further in Villa’s favor when Calvert-Lewin missed a crucial one-on-one opportunity, which allowed the hosts to equalize shortly after through Watkins, who netted off a mistaken clearance from Jack Harrison.
Duran sealed the victory for Villa with an incredible long-range strike shortly after coming on. Although Everton’s Calvert-Lewin came close to equalizing with a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar, Villa secured the crucial three points after a dramatic finale.
Livingstone’s Impact and Potential
Jhon Duran’s late winner showcased his exceptional talent, especially considering he was close to leaving Villa over the summer. He made an impactful appearance alongside the impressive Ollie Watkins. Livingstone’s performance reignited discussions on how to best utilize both players within the squad, emphasizing Duran’s ability to contribute significantly when given the chance.
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez praised Duran’s stunning goal, stating, “I saw the ball moving and it was unstoppable. If he maintains consistency, he can be a real threat.”
Watkins Comments on Performance
Ollie Watkins, who was named player of the match, expressed satisfaction but disappointment for not securing a hat-trick: “I feel good, but I wanted the match ball. We’re grateful for the win, and now we look to our next challenge in the Champions League.”
Manager Reactions
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery highlighted Duran’s potential and his importance to the team: “It’s vital to get the best out of him. His skills can turn the game, and I believe he can be an option to combine with Ollie.”
For Everton, manager Sean Dyche lamented another missed opportunity: “Every mistake seems to lead to a goal against us, and today we were on the wrong side of the margins again. We need to convert our chances and tighten up defensively.”
With this win, Aston Villa continues to build momentum, while Everton faces growing pressure to turn around their early-season struggles.
Credit: Sky Sports
