The MK Dons were denied three points against the league leaders in the most dramatic of circumstances.
It was the curse of the late goals as Mike Dove's side led Villa in the 88th minute but conceded twice in the dying stages to lose a well-contested affair.
It was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, dominating the first 20 minutes without reward.
On 21 minutes the Dons had their first chance when Jamie England fired over the crossbar, and four minutes later Joe Howe flashed a ball across the face of goal.
But on 27 minutes Villa were deservedly ahead when a corner from the left was not dealt with at the near post and an unmarked player nodded home.
Dons keeper Rob Webb pulled off a great save on 47 minutes and then the home side slowly turned the tide. Sam Baldock had an 18-yard effort saved on 54 minutes, and England was denied from a similar distance on 67 after a good move involving Adam Kent, Howe and Baldock.
The Dons levelled on 72 minutes when a free-kick from Ross Morley was met by a Sam Page header at the back post and Villa could do nothing but bundle it into their own net.
It was one-way traffic for the next 15 minutes as Dean Lovegrove curled an effort just wide, Morley had a shot turned behind by the keeper, Baldock had a drive blocked before the Dons edged ahead on 88 minutes.
The ball was moved through England to Baldock, who hit a left footed half-volley which found Howe for a volley of his own into the top corner.
But that was not the end of the game as 17 seconds later the Villa were level again. The Dons were caught napping from the re-start, giving an instant free-kick away which was taken quickly, and a surprise back header lobbed over Webb into the goal.
And in the last minute of injury-time, Villa completed the late recovery when James Nash pulled up with a hamstring strain, the Dons were subsequently stretched at the back and a ball to the far post met with a crisp finish.
Team: Webb, Kent, Collins (Nash), Murphy, Page, Howe, Battams (Lovegrove), Day, Morley, England, Baldock. Not used: Mitchell-Coop, Flood.