LITTLE to enthuse about at Villa Park, but Everton remain unbeaten under new boss Joe Royle.

Aston Villa captain Kevin Richardson returned after a two-match injury absence, but three key personalities missed the high-profile relegation battle while on duty for Wales.

Villa's top scorer Dean Saunders and Everton's Barry Home and Neville Southall all had to respond to the international call, and if force Everton's new manager Joe Royle to give Australian goalkeeper Jason Kearton only his third League start.

By contrast Villa's veteran 'keeper Nigel Spink was making his 450th appearance.

A blustery, cross-field wind contributed to a scrappy start and it was eight minutes before either side managed any kind of threat. Limpar gave the ball away in his own half and Phil King's instant through pass almost sent Guy Whittingham clear down the middle for Villa.

However, the ball was played just a few yards in front of him and Kearton was able to come out and make a comfortable save.

Everton's reply came from John Ebbrell but his shot, after Limpar returned an over-hit cross from the left by Joe Parkinson, was straight into the midriff of the grateful Spink.

It was a tedious opening 20 minutes win which neither side could string their passes together.

Ray Houghton provided a typical example after Whittingham had done well to head the ball down just outside the box only to see the Ireland international carelessly give the ball away.

Spink was the centre of a bizarre incident when he charged out his box and completely missed the long ball but defender Bryan Small got back to clear Burrow's goal-bound shot.

Kearton was having a few nervous moments in goal for Everton and when he was slow coming out for a hopeful punt forward, Graham Fenton beat him to the ball only for Dave Watson to make a vital block.

The danger was still not over for Everton though, Whittingham dived in with a tackle and turned the ball across to King whose first-time shot flashed over from 18 yards.

Villa also had some uncomfortable moments at the back' and Ugo Ehiogu did well to head away a cross in the 27th minute before Paul Hideout fired in a dangerous ball from the right after cleverly beating Small.