It was a frustrating encounter for Vicky Jepson’s side who had the chances but just didn’t take them and the home side were more clinical.
Villa took an early lead after just six minutes when Emma Follis pounced to beat Anke Preuss with a superb strike.
The Reds thought they had levelled on 10 minutes when Courtney Sweetman-Kirk headed home only to see her celebrations cut short by an offside decision.
Jepson's charges continued to take the game to Villa in the second half as they pushed for an equaliser.
Scotland international Christie Murray, back in the starting XI after recovering from injury, almost marked her return with a goal but saw a trademark free-kick land just past the wrong side of the post.