Manager Dean Smith feels Brentford's draw at former Premier League giants Aston Villa tonight will send out a statement to the rest of the Championship.

Coming, as it did, on the back of Saturday's brilliant 2-0 win at Brighton, it has been an excellent five days on the road for the Bees.

John Egan's equaliser three minutes from time was no less than Smith's men deserved and sent the 2,000 travelling army of Bees fans home delirious.

Smith said: “These last two results, against Brighton and Aston Villa, have shown we're not a team that can be taken lightly. But the players want more, they want to keep getting better.

“Every player can be pleased with their performance, and the subs that came on all made an impact, too – it was the least we deserved.

“It was good to see so many of our fans here, as it's a long drive on a Wednesday night, but they will be going home happy.”

Brentford found themselves on the back foot for most of the opening 45, with the occasion perhaps getting to some players, as Villa started the brighter and took the lead through Jonathan Kodija.

But whatever Smith said at half time worked wonders as the Bees came out a different team, forcing Villa to sit on their lead, and they could even have snatched an unlikely win at the death.

Smith said: “I'm delighted. I thought in the second half we were outstanding. To a man, we bossed the second half and restricted them to a few chances.

“They started the game really well and we're disappointed with the goal, but as the game progressed I thought we got better.

“Towards the end of the first half we had a number of chances, but our decision making for the final ball wasn't there. However, in the second half we dominated them.

“Sitting on a 1-0 lead is very dangerous, but we had to work hard to make them do that that, and it just shows we've got a lot of quality in the side.

“We felt we had the momentum at the end, and we felt there was still a winner for us in there. It was a really good performance.”

Brentford now turn their attention to Preston at home on Saturday, and Smith warned his side that they cannot afford to let the standards they have set this week drop.

He added: “There are no easy games. We've just had two tough away trips, but I watched Preston last night, and they were excellent against Cardiff.

“It will be another tough one, but if our performance levels are like they have been, we will be okay. Aside from the first half against Sheffield Wednesday, I think we have been very good this season, and we need to keep doing that to keep climbing the table.”