The Claret and Blue survived a late scare as Danny Collins headed in what seemed a perfectly good goal in injury time only to have their joy shot down by Referee Steve Bennett.
Sunderland also had a goal disallowed in the first half as Anthony Stokes headed in but the whistle had long gone and it was nowhere near as controversial as the goal that wasnt, later on.
The home side did score inside the first 10 minutes as former Stoke City man Danny Higginbotham rose highest to head in a Ross Wallace corner.
It was an early blow for Villa who suffered a similar early wound last week at home to Portsmouth when they conceded an own goal inside 15 minutes.
But the Villans came back strongly with plenty of determination. They failed to create any clear cut chances though, and although the visitors had plenty of possession it was Sunderland who threatened more.
First came the disallowed goal in the 42nd minute, and then powerful frontman Kenwyne Jones looked to have ended his goal drought only to see his shot blocked by big Zat Knight.
After the restart Villa continued to dominate and started to turn possession into chances.
Norwegian John Carew had his shot hacked off the line after Ward fumbled and moments later Ashley Young had a penalty appeal waved away.
Villa looked to have Sunderland on the on the firing range and it seemed only a matter of time before they gunned down the hosts.
Finally the goal came, as Maloney entered the frey with imediate impact. He curled in a delicious free-kick to leave Ward stranded after the Scot himself had been felled to earn the decisive opportunity to strike.
In Scotland he is known as their David Beckham and how apt that seemed after he showed such great set-piece technique.
The Black Cats responded well and Leadbitter had a header three minutes from time. It could have won the day but he fluffed his lines to direct it straght as Carson.
Then the came the decisive moment as Steve Bennett denied Collins a dream moment for an apparent infringement on Villa's keeper.
So it was super-sub Shaun to rescue the Villa as they rode the bucking bronco to secure a point. However, there's more work to do back at the ranch for Martin O'Neill and his men before Man City come calling next weekend.