FAIRFIELD Villa staged a fabulous recovery to claim a 2-2 draw with high flying Alvis Sporting Club in Midland League Division Two.

Victory could have taken Alvis up to top spot - a situation which definitely looked on the cards at half time as the Coventry side led 2-0.

But second half strikes from former Halesowen Town player Connor Collins and substitute Lewis Smith sealed Villa a share of the points.

Villa spokesman Paul Oakes said: "I was worried when I saw the Alvis team sheet before the game. They had three new players from our previous meeting which included their talisman Tommy McGuire and Rick Cutting who was last season's leading goalscorer with Coventry Sphinx.

"Credit to our lads because we tore into them but just couldn't score. They only had one real chance, which they took superbly and then McGuire scored a second for them right on half time.

"We did really well to come back at them - and then after we levelled, Lewis Smith then hit the post while their goalkeeper pulled off three fantastic saves at the end. It was a game we really could have won.

"Alvis and Paget Rangers are the two best sides we've faced this season and the difference is in their finishing.

"The fact we've taken a point off Alvis has really bucked the lads up and the place is buzzing at the moment. Everyone wants to be involved.

"But we need to follow up our performance against Alvis when we travel to Bloxwich Town this coming Saturday."

Villa have to rule out key player Joe Brookes until the end of the month but Ryan Molesworth should return to boost the ranks.