Brentford will feel they should have picked up all three points at Aston Villa, missing chances after having the hosts on the back foot.
However, they will feel pleased to be leaving the Midlands with a point and a clean sheet, even if it wasn't the ideal solution.
The first half featured little of goalmouth action, although the Bees looked the better side on the ball.
And, while the second half was more end to end, Brentford carved out good opportunities with Sam Johnstone saving from Josh Clarke and Ollie Watkins.
James Chester had the best chance for the hosts but was denied by the onrushing Dan Bentley.
Below are five talking points to emerge from the contest.
Villa have the money but Brentford have the soul
The stats will show that Brentford spent more in the summer transfer window than Aston Villa, while both sides made profits over the two months.
However, Villa have a vast wage bill, which is in the region of £1million a WEEK.
That is more than five times as much as what the Bees spend on salaries, which is in the region of £175,000 a week.
So, how can the Bees outclass Villa? It's quite simple. The way they operate and it's not rocket science either.
Brentford have a system and any player or head coach is brought in with the intention of completing the jigsaw.
The stereotypical Bees signing can be summed up by the below.
Young: Brentford will only tend to sign players where they can see a potential resale value with the player improving during their time at the club.
Good on the ball: The Bees play excellent passing football so a new signing must have this.
Hungry: A player must have a desire to improve as a footballer and as a person in order for the club to bring them in.
Team player: They also must put personal statistics to the backburner for the good of the team.
Other clubs have taken a more scattergun approach and signed experienced pros who are on their way down. The trick is to get them on their way up.
Silencing the critics
Brentford have taken a lot of criticism over the past few weeks, particularly after the departures of Jota, Harlee Dean and Maxime Colin.
However, this performance against Aston Villa should suggest that the Bees have nothing to fear and once they hit form, they will climb the table.
It was 10 years ago today (September 9) that Brentford were beaten 1-0 by Wycombe Wanderers in League Two over the international weekend.
Aston Villa's game going into the break; a 2-0 win over Chelsea with Gabby Agbonlahor, who featured late on this afternoon, grabbing the second.
However, that's in the history books. It is what happened today that mattered and Brentford, despite spending five times less on wages than Villa, outclassed them on their own patch.
The doubters should be feeling optimistic that results will turn.
Wonderful Woods
I remember last year seeing comments from Aston Villa fans questioning how on earth they missed out on signing local boy Ryan Woods.
They will be asking those questions again as the 'Ginger Pirlo' ran the show in the midfield having clearly learnt every blade of grass on the Villa Park pitch from last season.
The midfielder is a mercurial talent and the Bees should be delighted at the fact he is still at the club.
Heroic Henry
Rico Henry probably had his best game in a Brentford shirt, running himself into the ground.
The left back picked the ball up and drove forward but it was his work defensively that stood out.
New signing Robert Snodgrass couldn't do anything against the full back who was tiring by this stage.
It got to the point where Dean Smith had no choice but to bring him off as he could barely move, but was still giving everything he had to the cause.
Familiar story
Brentford fans returning to west London should feel uplifted by their side's display. One area that must be improved on is finishing.
Neal Maupay and Josh Clarke will both feel they should have scored, while John Egan and Ollie Watkins may have similar feelings.
Take those chances and Brentford will go flying up the table.
