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 JohnFilan.
Their only chance of a lacklustre opening 20 minutes came when home keeper JohnFilan 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 JohnFilan did well to keep out.