Ollie Watkins was full of praise for one of his Aston Villa teammates after they came from behind to secure a 3-2 win over Everton.
Aston Villa made hard work of it but managed to secure an all-important victory over Everton at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side dominated the opening exchanges of the contest and perhaps should have taken the lead but after virtually showing zero threat, Dwight McNeil capitalised on a rare Amadou Onana mistake to fire the visitors ahead.
There was more lapse defending for Everton’s second as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a header unmarked from a set piece.
Emery would have been seething with the manner of the two goals his side conceded but luckily, Ollie Watkins rose highest moments before half-time to end his recent goal drought.
Watkins then got his side back on level terms early into the second half before super sub-Jhon Duran completed a magnificent comeback for Aston Villa with a rocket of a strike into the top corner.
Ollie Watkins showers Aston Villa teammate Jhon Duran with praise after Everton win
Everyone associated with Villa would have been delighted to see Watkins get in amongst the goals following a period of struggle.
The Englishman had endured a tough start to the campaign after a taxing summer but he looked somewhat close to his best against Everton, scoring twice.
If the score had ended in a draw, most would have been talking about how Watkins saved Villa’s blushes but it was 20-year-old Duran, who scored from the bench for the third time this season in four matches.
That piledriver into the top corner was unstoppable and Watkins has waxed lyrical over his teammate after scoring that goal, claiming it was ‘magic’ and that he has ‘so much ability’.
Speaking to Sky Sports (14/09/2024 7:34 pm), the 28-year-old said: “It takes a moment of magic like that and obviously Jhon has come up with it. He has got so much ability. He has shown it here today, but also at the start of the season, Everyone knows what he can do. When he gets the opportunity, he shows it. Delighted for him.”
Jhon Duran is a special player for Aston Villa
Villa were far from convincing in this match but once more, they did everything in their power to secure a win while Emery’s substitutes were spot on.
Although Duran would have perhaps felt hard done by to be left out, after watching his strike partner score a brace, that would have fuelled him to get on the act himself.
This time, he produced a Goal of the Season contender in the dying embers to snatch all three points for his side.
That is what some of the most special players in world football do; they produce a moment of magic from nothing when their side needs them most.
Thankfully, Duran wasn’t sold to a rival this summer – despite 20 clubs reportedly wanting him – and Villa fans will hope he stays for at least the next decade.
