Discover how Watkins led Aston Villa to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Everton, showcasing his return to form in a match filled with excitement and drama.
Introduction:
It might have been an unforgettable return to Villa Park, but Aston Villa have finally and deservedly tasted the bliss of victory after that attacking comeback to defeat Everton 3-2. The team, with the potential of Unai Emery at the helm, was able to overturn a two-goal deficit early in the game, staying unbeaten at home and maintaining their hopes of survival in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Everton are running out of time in this Premier League season after suffering their fourth consecutive defeat and remaining winless and lying at the bottom of the league.
See also: Gabriel’s Header Secures Arsenal’s 1-0 Derby Win Over Tottenham
Everton’s afternoon was lit up by a goal in the 16th minute. Dwight McNeil retrieved the ball from Amadou Onana in Villa’s half, beat himself some space and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner, very early opener for Everton.
See also: Newcastle’s Late Comeback Stuns Wolves in 2-1 Thriller: Premier League
Just 11 minutes had elapsed when McNeil became provider with a perfect free-kick into the box for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Everton striker outjumped Villa’s defenders and headed the ball home to double the visitors’ advantage. It looked like Everton might finally claim their first points of the season.
However, Aston Villa began to settle after that initial jolt and perhaps had the best opening when a Lucas Digne cross from the left was headed home by Ollie Watkins at the far post for 2-1 going into the break. The game was now in full swing, with the home side now going into the break trailing 2-1.
See also: McNeil’s Brilliance Powers Everton to Vital 2-1 Win Against Palace
Villa’s equalizer came in the 58th minute when Youri Tielemans sent a long ball forward that Everton’s Jack Harrison could not deal with. It fell kindly to Watkins who had no choice to make any mistake from close range and leveled it 2-2.
Seven minutes into his substitute cameo, Jhon Duran delivered the killer punch. A long-range effort, ferocious and unforgiving, in the 76th minute flew into the roof of the net from over 29 yards out, shocking Everton as Villa staged a comeback victory.
Watkins Back in Form for Villa
Five months had passed without Ollie Watkins scoring for Aston Villa, but April was the last time his boot connected to see the back of the net. Today against Everton, he returned to put the ball in the net in dramatic style as Villa came from behind twice during the game. This well-timed header and drive home with the finishing of a perhaps returning clinical instinct: that is what his game has been missing since returning from international duty with England.
Watkins has been an integral part of Villa’s attacking presence, finding spots to penetrate the opposition and getting into dangerous spots. Such a performance at Everton must give this striker much-needed confidence boosts, and fans are hoping that such a return to form will see him knock it in regularly thereafter.
Defensive Deja Vu for Everton
Despite taking a two-goal lead again for the second game running, Everton once more collapsed at the back and left Everton manager Sean Dyche under increasing pressure. They had already conceded from a 2-0 lead to Bournemouth, and they committed the same errors at Villa Park when eventually losing 3-2.
Everton’s attack threatened in flashes, but once more, their defense proved fragile. Injury added to that as Vitalii Mykolenko was taken off after 26 minutes and had to be replaced at full-back by midfielder James Garner. Garner’s weakness at the back gave Digne the space he needed to get in to feed Watkins for the opener, but Everton’s issues at the back cannot be reduced to one change of personnel.
Such has been the case with Everton, conceding 13 goals in four games under Dyche. On the other hand, they have taken no points thus far this season and are still reeling at the bottom after losing several matches they should have won. That would be a stern test when Villa go into their next Premier League game and are expected to implement massive changes.
Villa Push Them Third with Comeback
Aston Villa’s comeback win against Everton took them into third position in the Premier League on goal difference, behind Liverpool. Villains look good going by their insistence and confidence at all times, especially with Duran still impressing as a substitute and Watkins breaking his three-month drying spell in front of the goalmouth with his two goals here.
Unai Emery’s side showed fight and quality over the final forty-five minutes of games, and thus, the victory against Everton saw the ultimate expression of that quality. Early displays by Birmingham City with dogged determination have provided a sound basis for their early successes in the Premier League.