Aston Villa 0 Wigan 0: Final whistle report
from a James Milner centre but he could not keep his effort down.
A Barry free-kick glanced off the head of Heskey and drifted wide of the far post as Villa stamped their authority on proceedings.
But after a bright opening, Villa found it more difficult to prise open a Wigan side who often put everyone except Mido behind the ball.
And Villa keeper Brad Friedel did well to block a shot from Wigan winger Daniel de Ridder after a dummy by Mido from a Mario Melchiot pass had set up the opportunity after 28 minutes.
Heskey threatened in the air for the first time after 40 minutes when he got on the end of a deep Barry cross but his header was directed straight at Chris Kirkland.
But Friedel produced an excellent save in first half injury-time to tip over a Figueroa header from a De Ridder cross.
It was De Ridder's last meaningful contribution as he was replaced at the start of the second half by Hugo Rodallega.
Gardner appealed in vain for a penalty after a challenge from Jason Koumas, who appeared to make little contact with the Villa midfielder.
But Villa's protests were more vociferous when Figueroa looked to control a cross from Milner with his hand only for referee Rob Styles to wave play on.
Kirkland was well positioned to hold on to a drive from a narrow angle by Agbonlahor as Villa looked to build some momentum.
Villa came close to breaking the deadlock after 55 minutes when Zat Knight's header back across goal from a Barry free-kick struck the post.
Davies became the first player to be yellow-carded after an hour for a rash challenge on Michael Brown.
Villa launched a late assault and won a free-kick inside the box after Kirkland handled a back pass from Michael Brown.
But Figueroa twice came to the rescue by clearing off the line from both Agbonlahor and Luke Young.
And the Wigan defender was again on his game to block a close-range effort from Agbonlahor.
