An early second-half goal by Giuseppe Rossi gave Villarreal victory in this testimonial game for Aberdeen's Darren Mackie as the Pittodrie side finalised their preparations for the new season and their opening fixture at home to St Johnstone on Saturday.

However, with new signings Kari Arnason unavailable and Chris Clark injured last night, Craig Brown, the Aberdeen manager, suggested that Derek McInnes, his counterpart at St Johnsone and an interested spectator, had not seen his strongest side.

“I never read too much into pre-season results, all you can see is players getting fitter and we are,” said Brown. “But we could have scored a couple of goals against a quality team packed with internationals.

“Darren failed with a header and then a touch in front of goal. I just hope he is saving them for St Johnstone on Saturday. However, I’m still looking to add another forward and a goalkeeper to complete my signing plans and the keeper will be here before the weekend.”

This game may have been all about honouring Mackie for his 13 years loyal service to the Pittodrie club, but, more importantly, it was to allow Brown to assess his side’s prospects for the coming season. In truth, though, the bite that he hoping for wasn’t on show, aside from a shot from Ryan Jack after just four minutes, acrobatically stopped by Diego Lopez, the Villarreal goalkeeper, and a futile attempt by Scott Vernon during a low-key first half.

The La Liga side’s contentment to retain possession while awaiting a scoring opportunity almost brought reward 10 minutes from the interval as Cani and Ruben collaborated to offer Rossi a good chance, but his attempted chip over the advancing David Gonzalez, fell flat as the Aberdeen goalkeeper managed to get enough of a touch on the ball to divert it from danger.

Gonzalez’s agility was called on soon afterwards when he performed a diving save from a free kick from Marcos Senna, the Villarreal captain.

That would only prove a sample of their capabilities, though, and Rossi accepted a neat pass 12 yards out and, with the defence looking on in admiration, he directed a shot into the net.

Moments earlier, Mackie had looked like putting the home side ahead as he accepted Vernon’s pass close in. His shot, however, was bravely blocked by the accomplished Mateo Musacchio.

Mackie was as desperate to score as the home fans were for him to find the net on his big night. However, he followed up his earlier effort by slicing a shot wide from six yards after Josh Magennis had fed him a pass from the right.

The striker, who missed most of last season because of a knee injury, left the field five minutes from the end to the acclaim of the crowd, many of whom wondering if he will be a regular feature for Brown in the new season.