Jermaine Jenas broke through on goal and, despite being pushed outside the area, referee Graham Poll awarded a penalty for the midfielder being caught by keeper John Filan.
Wigan boss Paul Jewell was then left fuming when Jackson missed a long Spurs clearance and Keane caught Filan well out of his goal and volleyed over the keeper.
Their only chance of a lacklustre opening 20 minutes came when home keeper John Filan fumbled a corner under pressure from Abdoulaye Faye and Heskey was forced to clear the danger.
Villa's only real effort of the opening period came when James Milner crossed for Gareth Barry, who turned inside Pascal Chimbonda before unleashing a shot that John Filan did well to keep out.
And Wigan boss Paul Jewell's heart will have been in his mouth as Angel's shot bounced just in front of Filan and the keeper was fortunate to see it hit his hands and loop just over the bar.