by Everton surrendered a two-goal lead for the second week in a row as Ollie Watkins’ brace and a stunning strike from Jhon Duran helped Aston Villa come from behind to win 3-2.
The Toffees looked to recover from their late collapse against Bournemouth and were two goals ahead for the second week in a row thanks to performances from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Villa were facing a second consecutive home defeat, but Watkins scored his first goal of the season to halve the deficit before half-time.
Everton tried desperately to defend their lead in the second half, but Watkins equalised with half an hour to go before Duran’s wonder goal from distance sealed the points.
Unai Emery’s team had the upper hand in the early stages and Morgan Rogers’ long-range shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
It was the visitors who took an unexpected lead when former Everton midfielder Amadou Onana was caught in possession by McNeil, who fired the ball into the far corner.
Everton increased their lead to two goals in the 27th minute through Calvert-Lewin.
McNeil transformed from goalscorer to playmaker when he placed a free kick onto the head of Calvert-Lewin, who headed in from inside the box.
The hosts reduced the deficit to one goal nine minutes before half-time when another former Everton player, Lucas Digne, crossed for Watkins, who headed the ball past Pickford from close range.
The impressive Rogers tried to test Pickford for a second time, but England’s number one again parried his attempt.
Onana appeared to be out of sorts and was substituted at half-time, which seemed to give Villa more fluidity in their search for an equaliser.
The home side became dangerous straight after the break when Rogers was denied by Pickford for a third time from close range before Jacob Ramsey’s follow-up shot was blocked by James Garner.
Everton looked weak and after Calvert-Lewin missed a golden chance to decide the game, the two-goal lead slipped again.
A long ball forward was meant to reach Digne, but Jack Harrison’s attempt to intercept the ball played it to Watkins’ feet, who equalised with an inside shot.
The English striker already had two goals to his name, but could have scored a few more.
First, Rogers beat the offside trap, but was unable to pass to the stretched-out Watkins before he missed from 9 meters.
Aston Villa took a sensational lead when Duran received the ball 30 yards from goal and fired a superb shot that flew past the diving Pickford – his third goal of the season after coming off the bench.
Everton had to abandon the defensive formation they had maintained for 80 minutes and equalised almost immediately.
McNeil was again instrumental in his appearance in the Calvert-Lewin series, but the Everton striker’s effort hit the crossbar and Sean Dyche’s side suffered a fourth consecutive league defeat for the first time since 1958.
