Aston Villa took the three points from the latest episode of the most-played fixture in English football but were made to sweat for the win by an Everton side that largely dominated possession.
Villa's caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald made two changes to the side that lost 6-0 at Newcastle seven days earlier. James Collins came into the defence in place of Ciaran Clark, and Nigel Reo-Coker was a late replacement for Stephen Ireland, who injured himself during the warm-up.
David Moyes made two changes to the Everton side that drew with Wolves last weekend, bringing in Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell.
Aston Villa took the lead against the run of play in the ninth minute. A clever move saw Ashley Young play the ball into the centre of the box for the on-rushing Luke Young to drive the ball into the top corner from 12 yards with his left foot.
Everton had the majority of the possession during the first half and went close to equalising though a Mikel Arteta free kick, which Brad Friedel did well to palm away.
Then Steven Pienaar's superb right-foot drive from just inside the box came crashing back off the cross bar.
Villa started the second half much better than they ended the first. John Carew headed a Mark Albrighton cross wide and Ashley Young's mazy run and shot from distance went wide.
Then two superb saves by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard prevented Villa from doubling their advantage. Carew's shot was parried by the keeper before Ashley Young's follow-up bounced into the ground with Howard reacting well to save.
Howard's American colleague Friedel then kept Villa in the lead with a reflex save from Everton substitute Louis Saha.
Albrighton then missed a golden chance to seal the points for Villa. Ashley Young's shot was saved by Howard and rebounded to the young winger, who had an open goal and time but blazed over the bar.
Everton piled on the pressure in the final stages of the game, a succession of corners and free kicks were drilled into the Villa box, but the defence, and Friedel, held firm.
Freidel secured the win for Villa, saving well twice from Saha in injury time, first staying big and then throwing himself to his right to tip the ball around the post.