Amidst penalty claims from Albion fans and players alike at the final whistle, Tony Mowbray admits he had no complaints with Steve Bennett's decision not to award a last-gasp penalty. Albion were again their own worst enemy conceding two sloppy goals to give Villa the advantage before James Morrison pulled one back for the Baggies.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the first-half and bossing proceedings in the second, ex-defender Curtis Davies opened the scoring in the 19th minute before a Scott Carson howler gifted Villa a two goal lead before half-time.
After Morrison's second goal against Villa this season the Baggies pushed for an equaliser and were denied a penalty by Steve Bennett who again grabbed the headlines only a week after awarding a penalty for Hull before changing his decision against the Villains.
"Over the piece, we did okay," Mowbray said afterwards.
"We could easily be sitting here with a point after getting a last-minute penalty.
"But the referee didn't give a penalty and I'm not going to complain.
"Everyone's got his own right to make his decisions - and that's fine.
"I've watched it back a few times and there were two opportunities possibly to give a penalty.
"But the referee didn't give one and we've got to live with that."
The Baggies boss opted to give a full Premiership debut to 20-year-old Jay Simpson up front alongside the returning Luke Moore with Roman Bednar having to settle for a watching berth on the bench. While Moore failed to impress, Mowbray offered a full appraisal for the Arsenal loan star.
"I think when Jay, a 20-year-old coming from Arsenal, is our biggest threat it probably sums up where we are," the Albion chief continued.
"I've sat many a time after games and thought we've done pretty well but we haven't really threatened the opposition enough.
"The game is about sticking the ball in the back of the net, making good runs and holding it up to allow your midfield to come in behind.
"It's also about recognising early when the ball is coming into the box, whether you can get across your defender or whether you should pull off the back of them.
"The best players do that and Jay instantly in training has shown he has got different qualities to our other strikers.
"We're not a bad team but we haven't got strikers who stick the ball in the back of the net.
"We have to hope Jay steps up to the mark and adds goals to his quality."