well if it seems like they had already fought it would make the easy battle later make sense that the battle was so easy. If they add deserted ships and smoldering ashes everywhere. Of course the rebels would say something about that so hmmmmmmmm. Leave it alone and make the battle later harder and more "Imperial" I mean come on the EMPIRE. The same empire that we expect the whole saga for the SHIT TO HIT THE FAN. They have to put up an epic fight (no 300 type fight but damn close) I mean I hate movies with BOOOM and humongous battles but that is the only way to beat the empire right. Their should imperials everywhere. And tie fighters (they all need to be up in space) tie bombers would work though (They arent really dogfight type ships)