Everton remains 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, remains stuck to the bottom having lost four out of four in the Premier League.

Boss Sean Dyche criticised his side's ‘leaky’ defence after the loss that saw Everton became only the second side in Premier League history to lose back-to-back games after leading by two or more goals in both.

“Today, we make a mistake and they capitalise on it. I said to the players, the killer instinct in both boxes is what’s vital. The key moment was to go 3-1 up," Dyceh said.

"We didn’t and we made a mistake, and they capitalised on it. We have to keep going.

“We’re making high-quality chances. At the minute, we’ve got to score as many as it takes to win a game. That’s been a challenge since I’ve been at the club. We can’t keep leaking goals like that.

“We’re having to manipulate the team. We have to keep believing in each other. You’ve got a responsibility to deal with it – and that’s what we have to do, including me.

“[The players] are an honest group. They’ve worked very hard and been through a lot. We are where we are, so they’re very disappointed. We have to respond. Before you know it, Tuesday will be upon us.”

Everton has also struggled with injuries so far this season and is increasingly short at the back.

Vitaliy Mykolenko had to be substituted after 26 minutes against Villa because of injury and was replaced by James Garner, traditionally a midfielder.

 “We’re certainly taking some knocks at the minute. Every mistake seems to be a goal, and every chance we don’t quite capitalise on,” Dyche said.

“Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of the margins again today. It’s a tough one to take, for different reasons than the last game. We’re down to a low squad anyway, so it’s been a challenge without a shadow of a doubt.”