SLIDESHOW: Stags v Villa
There were encouraging signs from Mansfield, despite losing 3-1 to big-name opponents Aston Villa in their first pre-season run-out.
Star-studded Villa gave a debut to former England star Joe Cole, who joined the club earlier in the week, while Darren Bent started the second half.
But the Stags actually took a well deserved half-time lead , and competed all the way with their more fancied opponents.
Here is the match in pictures.
Photos by Richard Parkes