Aberdeen out to sink Yellow Submarine

ABERDEEN host Villarreal at Pittodrie tonight as long-serving forward Darren Mackie takes centre stage for his testimonial match.

The La Liga side, known as the Yellow Submarine, have pledged to field a strong team and it promises to be an intriguing test for Craig Brown's new-look side.

Brown has made five additions to the squad this summer and has also seen a number of regulars from last season depart, and he is confident the revamped Dons side will be in good shape for Saturday's SPL curtain-raiser against St Johnsone.

Kari Arnason, Isaac Osbourne, Youl Mawene, Chris Clark and goalkeeper David Gonzalez are the new additions, but tonight is all about 29-year-old Mackie.

Apart from a brief loan spell with Inverness, Inverurie-born Mackie has been a one-club man since coming through the Pittodrie youth system, and since making his debut against Dundee as a 17-year-old in August 1999 has scored 54 goals in 294 appearances.

Mackie's appearances have dried up in the past couple of seasons due to injuries, but the No?10 remains a key part of Brown's plans for this season and he is sure to receive the warmest of receptions when he takes to the field this evening.