FAIRFIELD Villa put aside the previous week's nightmare defeat to Redditch Borough by bouncing back to beat FC Stratford 3-0 and remain joint third in Midland League Division Two.

Eager Villa were 2-0 up within 10 minutes thanks to goals from Ryan Molesworth and Alfie Bloomer, before Connor Collins converted a third with two minutes remaining.

Villa spokesman Paul Oakes said: "The players all knew that the 4-0 defeat to Redditch Borough wasn't acceptable and they were determined to put matters right against a very youthful but spirited Stratford side.

"The margin of victory would have been much more had it not been for Stratford's goalkeeper Archie Donaldson who was in scintillating form.

"He denied Alfie Bloomer a hat-trick in the first half alone and if it hadn't been for him, we would have gone onto win by at least six or seven goals."

Villa look to progress further in the Les James Cup this Saturday when they host AFC Solihull.

However Villa have lost the services of central defender Nick Allen who has returned to Cadbury Athletic as player-manager.

Paul Oakes added: "We're really sorry to lose Nick, he's been absolutely great for us, but we wish him every success."