FAIRFIELD Villa manager Paul Oakes admitted that Saturday's abandoned game at home to Littleton in the President's Cup was 'a blessing in disguise'.

Villa had been set to be without six first team players for the cup clash. Torrential rain on the previous night forced Villa's game to be postponed.

Oakes said: "The game called off was a blessing in disguise because we have so many injuries at the moment the physio's the busiest man at the club.

"The squad can cope, but the free weekend gives some of our wounded players a chance to heal."

At the moment Villa are without defender Richard Coulson (hamstring), Nathan Turner (illness), Adam Guest, Rob Walsh, Spencer Kenwood and Martin Townsend.

Ian Squires is set to miss the next three months after breaking a metatarsal bone in his foot last week.

Villa play Burntwood in the Endsleigh Challenge Cup at home on Saturday (1.30pm kick off).

Barnt Green Spartak's Endsleigh Challenge Cup game at Coventry Copsewood and Droitwich's Midland Combination Division Two against Himley were both cancelled on Saturday. Spartak entertain Malvern in the Smedley Crooke Cup tonight (7.45pm kick off).