ok after i take the village i'm immidiately attacked by hordes of mechs and aircraft that wipe out my new village before i can even start building some resources. how do i hold them off long enough to establish a base in the town?

The first village? Where you roll through the gate and take control?

Split your units into 2 groups one to the north and the others to the east where the attacks come from, get your workers back on the case, and think about building turrets near where the attacks will come from, think about creating an airbase and other military buildings to produce units to help you defend yourself