The home side were three ahead at half-time thanks to goals from McFadden, Cahill and Osman and despite Villa's consolation goal by Gabriel Agbonlahor, Cahill scored his second of the match late on to complete the rout.

Everton started the match on the front foot and after only 14 minutes of play, James McFadden gave them the lead from the edge of the box following good work from ex-Aston Villa target James Beattie.

Villa did respond well after the setback with Naysmith scrambling Steven Davis' goal-bound effort off the line and the same player then diverting debutant Agbonlahor's header round the post.

Just two minutes later, Steven Davis' was denied for a second time as his effort was headered off the line and over for a corner by Tim Cahill.

With only 22 minutes on the clock however, Villa fell apart at the back. Beattie's initial effort hit the post and with the ball rolling across the face of goal, Villa's static defenders watched as Cahill turned up at the far post to make it two-nil.

On the verge of half-time, Leon Osman wrapped up the three points as he drilled home at the far post from Arteta's cross.

As the second half got underway, Villa finally showed some fighting spirit and with 63 minutes on the clock, Gabriel Agbonlahor capped his Villa debut with a well taken goal from a tight angle to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

However, the Villans failed to build on the goal and with the game in the 92nd minute, Tim Cahill smashed the ball past Sorensen from close-range to make sure of the win.

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