With only one win in 15 away games during which time they had only scored seven goals it was always obvious where Albion's problems existed in the match.
Villa, fielding their youngest Premiership side, were initially prompted by some strong play from acting skipper Gavin McCann, but generally both defences were in control.
Villa surprisingly played with three strikers in a bid to open up the game. Albion, however, were well served by the up and coming Curtis Davis and as a result very little was seen of Milan Baros on his return to the Villa attack after missing the last three games.
Albion persisted in attempting to pressurise Villa's young central defenders, Liam Ridgewell and Gary Cahill, who made a promising Premiership debut in the absence of skipper Olof Mellberg.
The first real goal chance fell to Kevin Phillips in the 20th minute but the former England striker, who had a frustrating game, saw his lobbed shot strike the crossbar.
Albion's response produced the best save of the game from Villa's Thomas Sorensen in the 31st minute. Zoltan Gera's volley was intercepted by a glancing header from Diomansy Kamara only for Sorensen to fling himself to his right to fingertip the ball over the bar.
In a hectic game with little real skill Lee Hendrie had to limp out of the game following a strong tackle by Paul Robinson.
Five minutes before the break Villa should have taken the lead. Gabriel Agbonlahor rolled a low pass in front of Phillips, but the Villa striker, with only Thomas Kuszczak on beat, shot straight at the Albion keeper.
Right on half-time Ronnie Wallwork collected a yellow card for a foul on Baros and now faces a two-match ban after ten bookings this season.
Twice in a matter of a minute Villa escaped penalty decisions when the ball hit Aaron Hughes and Ridgewell on their arms.
In this hectic onslaught on Villa's goal Steve Watson moved up to hammer in a low shot only to see young Cahill clear the effort off the goal-line.
A desperate Albion sent on their three substitutes in an attempt to stage a grandstand finish, but it was to no avail as the game dribbled out into a predictable goalless draw.