Ian Taylor ended a personal five-month goal drought to keep Aston Villa on course for a UEFA Cup place, grabbing a late winner against Walter Smith's patched-up side.

The tireless Villa midfielder helped extend his side's unbeaten run to seven games from which they have collected 12 points.

But it was the introduction of David Ginola with 20 minutes left that sparked Villa into life.

He tormented the Everton defence and fittingly set up Taylor's fourth goal of the campaign with nine minutes remaining.

Villa came from nowhere to book a European spot in 1998 and they are on course to repeat that feat as they ran out deserved winners.

Everton, who are still eight points above the relegation zone and relatively safe, battled hard after going behind to an early goal from Dion Dublin.

But most of the creativity came from John Gregory's side with Dublin causing problems in the air, Taylor and George Boateng bundles of energy in midfield and Alan Wright supporting well as an attacking full-back.

Gregory must have been tearing his hair out as Villa managed to lose a lead for the ninth time this season.

But Ginola gave them that added impetus and he is finally producing the form that made him the hero of the terraces at Newcastle and Tottenham.

Villa, unbeaten in their previous six matches, were given a dream start with the recalled Dion Dublin putting them ahead after only 73 seconds.

Taylor stepped over a pass into him from Alan Wright and the ball ran through into the path of Dublin.

The one-time England striker got past the challenge of Alessandro Pistone before drilling a low shot wide of Paul Gerrard into the corner of the net.

Everton looked at sixes and sevens in the early stages as Villa looked threatening in the air every time the ball was pumped into the box.

Dublin and Taylor both headed over after getting on the end of crosses from Paul Merson.

Taylor squandered a golden opportunity when he fired home from 10 yards out after a mis-kick by Lee Hendrie had fallen into his path.

Hendrie seemed to be the target for some uncompromising tackles, chiefly from Thomas Gravesen, but referee Paul Taylor seemed reluctant to take action.

Everton, lacking several players through injury, gradually came more into the game and after 23 minutes came Unsworth's moment of delight.

Along throw from Gravesen was only headed by Villa skipper Gareth Southgate into the path of former Villa player David Unsworth who hooked the ball past James into the roof of the net.

Unsworth, the target of the boo boys after an unhappy short spell at Villa two years ago, could not conceal his delight and ran along the touch-line clutching his Everton shirt in the direction of the home fans.

Villa tried to retaliate but their play had lost much of its early sparkle and the best they could manage in the remainder of the half was a 20 yarder from Taylor which flew over the bar.

Gravesen was finally yellow-carded at the start of the second half for dissent as Villa began to build up some pressure.

Gerrard held onto a low drive from Wright but was fortunate to see a 30-yard volley from the same player hit the post and rebound to safety.

Then Gerrard was forced to tip over a header at the far post from Dublin following a free-kick from Wright.

Gravesen continued to dish out the treatment with one challenge on Steve Stone causing more anger among Villa fans.

Everton manager Walter Smith must have been concerned that his player was running the risk of collecting a red card and replaced him after an hour with Alex Nyarko.

Gregory introduced Ginola with 20 minutes left and he was soon causing problems with his trickery and crosses on the left flank.

James could not hold to a powerful 30 yarder from Pembridge but Villa were soon back on the offensive and with nine minutes left Ginola set up the winner.

He cut inside and past Watson before sending over an inviting cross which Taylor headed past the exposed Gerrard into the corner of the net.

Teams

Aston Villa: James, Delaney, Wright, Southgate, Alpay, Taylor, Boateng, Hendrie (Ginola 69), Stone (Vassell 62), Merson, Dublin (Angel 79).

Subs Not Used: Barry, Enckelman.

Goals: Dublin 2, Taylor 81.

Everton: Gerrard, Steve Watson, Pistone, Weir, Unsworth (Moore 85), Ball, Gemmill, Pembridge, Gravesen (Nyarko 60), Alexandersson (Tal 70), Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Hibbert.

Booked: Gravesen, Pistone, Weir, Ball.

Goals: Unsworth 21.

Att: 31,272

Ref: P Taylor (Cheshunt).