Everton, though, responded in a positive manner and were awarded a spot-kick of their own midway through the half when Anichebe’s direct run at the heart of the Villa defence was ended illegally by Steve Sidwell just inside the area. Arteta did the rest, sending Brad Friedel the wrong way from 12 yards.

Gosling then struck an angled shot into the sidenetting but Everton breathed a huge sigh of relief 12 minutes before the break.

Left-winger Ashley Young, the most potent outlet for the visitors, swung in a dangerous cross but an unmarked Agbonlahor, instead of heading home from less than six yards, mistimed his leap and sent the ball wide off his shoulder.

Everton were then indebted to goalkeeper Howard on the hour when the American dived at full stretch to his right to brilliantly palm behind an improvised John Carew volley from Milner’s right-wing cross.

Friedel then clutched a Cahill header at his near post from a Leighton Baines delivery, but Everton’s play grew increasingly nervy as Villa fashioned further chances to equalise, Sidwell nodding a free header wide and Ashley Young slashing off target from 20 yards.

And the home side capitalised on such profligacy 14 minutes from time when Anichebe’s cross with the outside of his right foot from the left was missed by Curtis Davies, allowing the unmarked Cahill to finish beyond Friedel at the far post.

So ends the proud record of Villa manager Martin O’Neill, who had never lost in 11 previous visits to Goodison as a player or manager.

There was to be no sting in the tale for Moyes’ side this time. Instead, a continuation of a story Everton want to extend until the last weekend in May.