Cahill, purchased with the money acquired from the controversial sale of Rooney to Manchester United, was outstanding upon his return as Everton out-gunned Villa in every department.
It was Cahill's skill which set the tone to an easy win over a demoralised Villa who had a disastrous day.
The victory keeps Everton well on course for Europe next season and the gap between themselves and Villa was exposed with some clinical finishing.
Everton's strong point was the commanding play of Cahill, Mikel Arteta and Lee Carsley. They gave Villa little scope and capitalised upon some poor defensive play with Cahill the guiding hand.
The Australian created two goals for young Leon Osman and notched the other goal as Villa were fortunate not to concede even more goals.
There was some impressive early play from Everton when they quickly shifted up a gear to menacingly move into a dangerous attacking mode.
Everton, beaten only three times in their previous 13 away games, were always on top and clinically achieved another conclusive win.
Villa, fresh from a 2-1 success at Portsmouth in their last outing, were frustrating to the extreme and consequently posed few real problems for a confident Everton side.
Fourth in the table Everton responded to a good start in a positive fashion and posted their intentions with some clever play from the likes of Cahill and Arteta.
Cahill's return was a welcome sight for Everton's travelling fans and the Australian made an impressive impact as he gained control of the midfield.
This was illustrated in dramatic fashion when he skilfully worked his way past three Villa players before timing a perfect pass into the path of Marcus Bent.
The Everton striker, however, was closed down by Olof Mellberg and goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen as he was about to shoot.
But the writing was on the wall for a Villa defence often all at sea against the more cultured Everton side.
Cahill wandered out onto the left before putting over a cross to the far post where Osman, a local Everton product, was on hand to head home at the far post for his fifth Premiership goal in his debut season.
With Eric Djemba-Djemba making no impact in midfield for Villa, Everton gained in confident with Areta sending Bent clear only for the Everton front man to hammer his shot over the bar.
Villa's response was a Nobby Solano free-kick which went narrowly wide and a hopeful shot from Juan Pablo Angel which veteran Nigel Martyn had little trouble saving.
It was hardly a surprise that Villa were booed off the field at half-time by their disappointed fans who were cheering a minute into the second half when Solano equalised with his eighth goal of the season.
Thomas Hitzlsperger provided the cross from the left which was missed by Angel but Solano was on hand to tap home from close range.
But any Villa was short lived as Everton hit back immediately for Bent to set up Everton's second goal in the 48th minute.
It occurred following a bad mix-up between Mellberg and Sorensen. Both left Bent's cross to each other and Cahill had a free header for his seventh goal of the season.
Villa 's tale of woe was completed in the 66th when Cahill floated over a cross which young Osman dispatched with the coolness of a veteran.
Man of the Match: Tim Cahill - Marked his return with a superb display of skill and finishing power. He masterminded Everton's win with some excellent football.