But with new boss Paul Jewell watching from the stands before taking charge of the team on Thursday, the home side belied a run of form that had seen them lose eight of their last 11 fixtures with a performance of tremendous desire and determination.
Villa responded to losing 7-1 to the Premier League leaders a fortnight earlier with a performance of industry and desire and their manager Martin O'Neill will also believe his side should have had a first-half penalty when Jon Mikel Obi clumsily felled Gabriel Agbonlahor inside the area.