JOINT manager Paul Oakes says it will take time for new-look Fairfield Villa to gel.

Villa made a disappointing start to the Midlands Division Two on Saturday after losing 4-0 to Sutton United at the weekend.

But it is a very new group for the club, who lost John Pykett (Bromsgrove Sporting), Connor Collins (Halesowen Town) and Ellis Blakemore (Pershore).

To make matters worse, Villa have lost key pair Lewis Cosgrave (ankle ligaments) and James Finnigan for long-term injuries.

Ben Smith is set not to be available because he is a groundsman for Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

Oakes said: “It’s a new-look team and were suffered a setback when James and Lewis picked up serious injuries just before the season started.

“So it may take a few weeks for everything to settle down.

“We’ve been lucky over the last few years with teams challenging higher.

“Sutton deserved to win the game but we gifted them three goals with some poor defending.”

Villa go to Hampton tomorrow (Thursday, 6.30pm kick-off) night and then entertain Austrey Rangers on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Meanwhile, a big turnout is expected to say a final farewell to chairman Paddy Eades next Monday.

His funeral will be held at St Mark’s Church (11am), with a service for friends and family at Stourbridge Crematorium afterwards.

The family have requested that flowers and donations are made to Fairfield Villa and sent to funeral directors Giles and Sons, 24 Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove, B61 0AE.