It was a fitting result with Villa, without an away win this season, content to go back across the city with a valuable point.
Birmingham were involved in their second successive goalless home draw but manager Steve Bruce could have have no complaints from another dedicated performance, while Villa's David Leary was happy with the outcome against their high-flying rivals.
Robbie Savage returned after missing two games and was quickly involved in a tangle with Lee Hendrie when he came off second best.
To the credit of both teams the game, often played at a hectic pace, was conducted in a very sporting atmosphere but there was one explosive moment after Gavin McCann blocked David Dunn and prompted a midfield melee, which ended in both captains being spoken to referee Mike Riley.
The Leeds official controlled the game exceptionally well in the white-hot circumstances.
But there was not a single clear-cut opportunity in the opening half from either side much to the frustration of the fans.
Villa played with Juan Pablo Angel as their lone striker. Consequently there was little real pressure applied on either Kenny Cunningham or Matt Upson.
On the other hand Olof Mellberg and Ronny Johnsen both had a torrid time against Christophe Dugarry and Mikael Forssell.
The on-loan Chelsea star was particularly aggrieved when he fell in the penalty area following a tackle by Mark Delaney. He thought he should have won a penalty but referee Riley again read the incident well and declined to award a spot kick.
The most dangerous moment for Birmingam's defence occurred nine minutes into the second half when a flick-on from Angel fell into the path of Peter Whittingham but the Villa substitute struggled to control the ball and his close range effort was deflected over the bar.