ASTON Villa's lack of finishing ability was laid bare for a live TV audience in a grim, goalless clash with Everton.

It's a fault that looks destined to cost them a Europe place next season.

Two years ago this fixture produced a spectacular 6-2 Villa romp to delight a nationwide armchair audience and spark the England career of David Platt.

Villa have now scored one goal in their last six games, and had no one with Platt's incisive touch to enliven a routine tussle.

Villa's current top scorer Dwight Yorke passed up the two best opportunities as his side was left with only a point to show for overall dominance of a dull, damp afternoon.

Everton's Welsh international goalkeeper Neville Southall saved superbly to deny Yorke his 12th goal of the season after 17 minutes.

Eight minutes after the break, Yorke had another clear sight of goal, but saw his shot from 12 yards rebound off the right leg of Everton defender Martin Keown as he stood on the line, then roll against the foot of a post.

Yorke really should have buried both chances, which were the product of pinpoint crosses by Tony Daley.

Everton manager Howard Kendall. whose side have won only one of their last seven League games, pulled off England's Peter Beardsley with less than an hour gone but the move backfired and Everton's attacks never threatened to unhinge a solid Villa back four.

And Everton manager Howard Kendall accused Villa's lan Olney of taking a deliberate dive to try to earn a penalty in the goalless drew. Kendall believed substitute Olney should have been cautioned:

"He should have been booked for a deliberate dive.”

But Villa manager Ron Atkinson saw the incident quite differently:

"It was a blatant penalty. Howard must have had his tongue in his cheek if he is saying that.

"That's not the issue really.

"I expect the players in front positions to show much more determination and if they don't start doing that soon, I’ll stick some kids in and let them fiddle about in the reserves." warned Atkinson.