Given that this was Villa's 44th game of the season - three more than they played in the whole of last term - O'Neill decision to rest his key men was understandable and the hosts responded with a bright start.
In a low-key opening, Falkirk midfielder Burton O'Brien had a shot blocked by David Elebert but it was Hamilton who enjoyed more of the possession in the early exchanges.
Gaffney, who coached Munster for three years, believes winning the forwards battle is key to nullifying the threat of influential fly-half Ronan O'Gara.