Can there be a sorrier sight than two of English football's true giants thrashing around in such an undignified, unedifying fashion? That we had a goal was utterly remarkable: that it was one of such breathtaking beauty was, in the circumstances, unbelievable.

As wretched a match as this or any other season will yield had crawled into its final desperate minute when Paul Merson clipped the ball up and over the Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard from almost 35 yards. "The conditions were difficult, truly awful, and that contributed to our goal ," said John Gregory, Villa's manager. "The ball must have moved all over the place in the wind and you can't blame their keeper for that. But it was still a special goal. That's something that Paul is always capable of."

It was Villa's only shot on target and it was enough to give them an undeserved victory. Everton were poor but deserved better.

As it was Guy Fawkes' night the shivering hordes were treated to a brief firework display, one which left the entire stadium cloaked in impenetrable smoke. Unfortunately, shortly before the referee Stephen Lodge raised whistle to lips for the first time, it cleared.

Paul Gascoigne, the one man who seemed capable of taking on the mantle of dream-weaver, did not make it to half-time, departing with a leg injury. "It's his thigh, we don't know how bad it is but he will see a specialist," said Walter Smith, the Everton manager.

At least the referee saw fit to introduce a dash of controversy to proceedings. After 45 minutes Merson sprinted clear into the penalty area but as he shaped to cross, David Weir clattered him from behind. It looked a penalty but Lodge was having none of it.

Everton did almost fashion a breakthrough just before the hour but after doing so well to reach a Mark Pembridge cross at the far post, Gary Naysmith was horrified to see the goalkeeper David James turn his header on to a post.

Thereafter, Everton's defender David Unsworth did his level best to get himself sent off and it rained and it rained. Then came that masterful flick of Merson's boot.

Everton: Gerrard, S Watson (Gemmill 62), Weir, Xavier, Unsworth (Tal 74), Gravesen, Gascoigne (Cadamarteri 37), Hughes, Pembridge, Naysmith, Campbell. Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Moore. Booked: Xavier, Naysmith, Unsworth.

Aston Villa: James, Alpay, Southgate, Barry, Stone (Delaney 59), Boateng, Taylor, Wright, Merson, De Bilde (Vassell 75), Joachim. Subs Not Used: Ginola, Hendrie, Enckelman. Booked: Boateng, Vassell. Goals: Merson 90.

Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).