Sometimes you 'win ugly' and where Villa were spectacular in the last home game against Chelsea, Martin O'Neill's men scrapped their way to three points against gritty Everton.

Goals from John Carew, his first of the season, and Gabby Agbonlahor secured the points. But Martin Laursen and co deserved plenty of credit at the other end.

And few could argue against the final scoreline - though this was far from a classic.

Knight bravely blocked a rising drive from Yobo on two as the visitors made a bright start. The recent signing from Fulham needed treatment as the shot hit him square in the face.

Jagielka cleared off the line a minute later as Everton struggled to clear Barry's free-kick from the right.

The action was 100mph in the early stages, with both sides clearly up for a battle.

Lescott headed Young's dangerous left-wing free-kick to safety on 12.

Carew opened the scoring for Villa two minutes later, firing low past Wessels as Agbonlahor challenged for Bouma's left-wing cross, causing problems in the Everton box.

Agbonlahor had the ball in the net on 17, but the flag was already up to indicate Young's centre from the left had gone out of play.

Carson beat Anichebe to Johnson's cross from the right on 20 as the England man found space behind Laursen.

Wessels scrambled a Young corner clear from Knight on 29, palming the ball away to safety.

Osman fired a low free-kick straight at the Villa wall on 38.

Hibbert headed off the line from Agbonlahor on the stroke of half-time as Villa looked for a second.

Carson did well to deny Johnson on 48, collecting a low free-kick from the edge of the box at the foot of his left-hand post.

Johnson should have levelled matters on 53, dragging a low shot wide as he met Anichebe's flick.

Carson comfortably gathered a low long range effort from Osman four minutes later.

At the other end Mellberg dragged a right-foot volley wide as Everton only half cleared a Young free-kick.

Yobo headed another Young free-kick away to safety on 60.

Villa had a second just moments later though as Agbonlahor chased Carson's long ball over the top, controlled brilliantly and slotted calmly home.

Agbonlahor has now scored three goals in four outings against the Toffees!

Baines fired high into the North Stand after a clumsy free-kick routine from Everton on 69.

Young flashed a low dangerous ball across the Everton six-yard box on 73 as he raced inside from the left.

Carson gathered a low angled shot from Everton substitute Yakubu on 79.

Barry curled a left-foot effort wide on 82 as he linked up with Agbonlahor on the edge of the Everton box.

Carson produced a smart save to deny Yobo 0n 89 as Everton refused to give up.

Harewood headed narrowly wide as he rose to meet Young's left-wing centre on 90.

Knight, determined to keep a clean-sheet, did well to block a Yakubu effort in stoppage-time.

Villa broke quickly and it took a despairing challenge from Hibbert to deny Agbonlahor right at the death.

VILLA: Carson, Mellberg, Bouma, Laursen, Knight, Barry, Reo-Coker, Agbonlahor (booked 61), Young, Carew. Subs: Harewood (for Moore 80), Davies, Taylor, Gardner (for Carew 54), Maloney.

Everton: Wessels, Hibbert, Baines, Yobo, Lecott, Johnson, Jagielka, Neville, Pienaar, Osman, Anichebe. Subs: Ruddy, McFadden (for Johnson 69), Valente, Yakubu (for Anichebe 69), Carsley.