Dean Smith: It would have been a 'travesty' if Aston Villa lost derby clash

Substitute Davis netted his first Premier League goal in the second minute of stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Smith’s men.

Villa had gone ahead through Anwar El Ghazi’s penalty but found themselves trailing through a Tyrone Mings own goal, after Matheus Pereira had levelled from the spot.

Smith said: “I think it would have been a travesty had we been beaten. We were the main aggressors for the majority of the game.

“We had 25 to 26 shots on goal, 11 corners. It just shows you the team who were pushing to try and win the game.”

Davis, who also hit the post after coming on, took advantage of hesitation in the Albion defence to prod home only his second goal since January, 2018.

Smith said: “It was a really good moment and will be appreciated by all the other players. He is a really well-liked and respected in the dressing room, he works extremely hard and has needed that goal.

“He has been playing understudy to Ollie Watkins this season but the goal will do him the world of good.

“He is a talented player who has come through our academy. He will keep growing.”

Smith, meanwhile, felt Villa were unfortunate to concede a penalty when Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have fouled Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the box.

Referee Stuart Attwell’s decision was checked by video assistant Martin Atkinson but allowed to stand and Smith said: “I am still wondering why the penalty was given against us?

“The referee must have some eyes if he sees that contact. There certainly wasn’t enough for him to go down.

“Whoever is at Stockley Park, surely they have to go and look at the monitor?”