EVH’s a far more influential player than Richards. Keith rides on the fame of the Rolling Stones. Richard’s can’t match EVH’s musicality, technicality, innovation, and licks (as well as gymnastics...well, way back when...).
I never really got the Keith Richard thing. I think he did some cool stuff with the tunings and the style of play that fit the music, but I never thought of him as a groundbreaking guitarist, or one that had much depth or facility. Top 100 sure, not top 10.
EVH changed every guitarist that followed him into the rock/pop world.