Jimmy Bullard opened the scoring with a sumptuous volley midway through the first half, but when Juan Pablo Angel tapped-in an equaliser eight minutes after the restart, the momentum appeared to have swung in Villa's favour. But they failed to capitalise, as too goals in four minutes from Henri Camera effectively decided matters, although Liam Ridgewell did reduce the deficit with his fourth goal of the season.
"When we got back to 1-1 we lost two quick goals that should have been prevented," said assistant manager Aitken. "It sums up our season. With the chances we created we should be scoring more than two goals. We needed more quality this season. The quality has been short in vital areas - at both ends of the pitch. Our effort and commitment was not in doubt though."
Villa will hope "effort" is enough to lift them up the table in search of more cash over the next few weeks to leave them better set for next season, although they can do without any more of David O'Leary's patronising "I hope you stay up" pre-campaign comments like those directed to Wigan last summer.