NINETY-NINE minutes of compelling Goodison Park action failed to produce anything conclusive about Villa's prospects for the next nine months.

One thing, though, is certain. If Ron Atkinson's men continue to perform with such invention and panache not to mention sheer resilience Villa Park regulars will have no complaints about their team's entertainment value.

Seven minutes of first half stoppage time, plus a further two at the end, elapsed without the usual accompaniment of impatient whistling from the stands.

When the action is as gripping as this, no-one minds an extra helping and judging by Match of the Day's highlights, it was a similar story in other parts of the country.

Several managers, Ron Atkinson included, have expressed fears that the World Cup-inspired clampdown by referees would spark an unhealthy spate of red cards.

But while there were opening day bookings for Andy Townsend, Kevin Richardson and Dwight Yorke the latter two harsh, to say the least players have clearly taken heed of FIFA's directive.

Football may be a physical game, but it should also be a beautiful one. If the absence of rash, lunging tackles allows creative players more freedom of expression then, I, for one, will not be complaining.

On Atkinson's own admission, Villa have faltered in recent seasons because they have lacked the bite and aggression to go with their skilful football.

But the new rules should enable them to reconstruct the flowing style which delighted spectators two years ago and carried them to the runners-up position.

There were flashes of such Inspiration against Everton, the likes of Ray Houghton and Garry Parker revelling in the extra apace they were frequently denied last season.

And with the Dean Saunders-John Faahanu strike force proving to be an instant success, Villa's lack of goals should also be a thing of the past.

Fashanu, Aston Villa's £1.35 million signing, almost got a dream start to life at his new club but his third minute shot from just outside the box curled a yard wide.

That's not to suggest this was a perfect display. Far from it. If Villa stand to benefit from the refs' protection racket, so do other footballing sides, and they were thankful to Mark Bosnich for constantly denying an Everton side who carved out chances with worrying regularity.

The decision to move skipper Richardson to right-back might have made sense in theory, but it backfired badly.

Not only was he ill at ease against Anders Limpar's trickery but Villa badly missed his dominance as midfield anchor man.

Villa were more effective after the break when Andy Townsend, lacking his usual drive, dropped deeper and gave Dwight Yorke more freedom to get forward.

Richardson must surely revert to his usual role against Southampton on Wednesday, although he may be forced to stay at fullback if Steve Staunton does not recover from a calf problem.

After 22 minutes Everton took the lead after Stuart and Limpar exchanged passes on the left and Stuart's cross found its way over keeper Bosnich, who was stranded a couple of yards off his line.

A free-kick by Limpar from just outside the Villa box beat the defensive wall but was well parried by Bosnich. The keeper did even better to gather Parkinson's hard low shot from the rebound.

A curling 20-yard shot from Villa and Everton share goals and points Fashanu bounced off Southall's chest but, fortunately for Everton, no Villa player was close enough to capitalise.

Staunton had to be alert to get back and rob Cottee with a perfectly timed sliding tackle on the edge of the Villa box a minute after the break.

Then Limpar played the ball to Stuart who found Cottee and the stiker's back heel ran invitingly into the path of Limpar who had continued his run but saw his low shot saved by the outstretched boot of 'keeper Bosnich.

Villa had a goal disallowed for off-side after 56 minutes when Parker crossed for Ehiogu to head back, and Saunders nodded the ball home.

Fashanu, who was proving a handful for the Everton defence, grabbed an equaliser for Villa after 66 minutes.

Everton hit back and Rideout put them 2-1 ahead after 70 minutes, but Saunders equalised four minutes later.

Try as they might, neither side could find the winner and were content to share the points.

MAN OF THE MATCH: John Fashanu.