FAIRFIELD Villa spokesman Paul Oakes believes his side's 3-1 defeat to local rivals Feckenham this week was nothing short of a blessing in disguise.

The result meant Villa lost interest in this season's Evesham Hospital Cup and Oakes admitted: "I'd wanted to pull out of the competition altogether, but eventually agreed we should honour the fixture.

"But had we won, it would have meant cramming in two more fixtures, which would have been difficult to cope with.

"Full credit to Feckenham as they fully deserved to win - but the last thing we wanted was more fixtures."

Villa have little time to dwell on their defeat. They entertain Montpellier this Saturday, before travelling to take on Moors Academy next Tuesday and then visit Redditch Borough on Thursday.

Villa are still waiting to see who their opponents will be in the Les James Cup final.

But the club have been informed the game won't be taking place at Walsall FC's Banks' Stadium.

Oakes said: "The decision is a real let-down and we cannot hide our disappointment. Everyone was so looking forward to playing on Walsall's ground."