As the only Premier League club not to sign any players so far this summer, the murmurs of discontent emanating from some Everton fans are starting to appear slightly justified.
Seamus Coleman's withdrawal after a wholly reckless challenge from Carlos Marchena quickly reignited concerns that the current side lacks the depth required to compete with the best.
Bizarrely, the recklessness of Marchena went unpunished by referee Mike Jones and has thrown a curve-ball to David Moyes' plans ahead of the start of the new domestic campaign next weekend.
Coleman's displays of verve down the right-hand side have become a hallmark of Moyes' team in recent years and he had illustrated this very trait throughout the opening stages.
His ability to weave his way past several Villarreal defenders should have seen his side break the deadlock but failed to lift the ball beyond the advancing Diego Lopez in the visitors' goal.
The injustice of the Champions League qualifier between the two sides six years ago is still something of a sore point and one which Evertonians hope can eventually be rectified.
But the loss of Coleman does not bode well for any bold ambitions Moyes may harbour ahead of the new campaign, however it does offer a golden opportunity for Ross Barkley to make his mark.
The 17-year-old may have yet to make a competitive appearance but his display of outstanding maturity against the La Liga outfit offered a rather compelling case.
The offside flag may have denied him a first goal after he stole in behind the Villarreal defence to meet Leighton Baines's cross, but there can be no faulting his predatory instinct.
"We're really pleased with how he's going," admitted captain Phil Neville.
"I think we're playing a little bit low-key with him.
"I think we've got a special talent there that just needs nurturing.
"He's at the right club. He's going to get the right looking after, the right chances and he's got a manager who's going to give him a chance - that's the biggest thing at this stage.
"I think he's the one that we need to watch out for."
Former prodigy Guiseppe Rossi is no stranger to frustration by Everton, after being forced to settle for a point against them during his days at both Newcastle and Manchester United.
His constant twisting and turning in possession proved fruitless against an Everton defence still able to rely on the invaluable experience of his former Old Trafford cohort Neville.
But the striker would have the last laugh and it certainly was the loudest with a curling free-kick, far out of Tim Howard's reach, to give the Spanish side an inevitable lead.
"The main thing was the fitness workout," added Neville.
"They kept the ball really well and it meant that we had to chase
the ball for long periods of the game.
"It also meant that the players that have been out for a while like Philly [Phil Jagielka] and Jack [Rodwell] got a really good work out.
"It's about fitness at the end of the day, not the result, but we need to play better than that.
"We're playing Spurs next Saturday and obviously the intensity of our play needs to improve."
The Main Stand at Goodison Park was off limits to supporters due to ongoing renovation, but it is more than a lick of paint which is required to bolster the Blues' chances of success this season.
EVERTON (4-4-2): Howard, Neville, Distin, Jagielka, Baines; Coleman (Cahill), Barkley (Yakubu), Fellaini (Heitinga), Rodwell; Anichebe (Hibbert), Saha (Beckford). Subs (not used): Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Vellios, Baxter.
VILLARREAL (4-4-2) Diego Lopez; Mario, Musacchio, Zapata (Gonzalo), Oriol; Cani, Marchena (Senna), Bruno, Valero (Wakaso); Camunas, Rossi (Ruben). Subs (not used): Cesar, Nilmar, Catala, Wakaso, Gerard, Marcos Gullon, Mano, Dervite, Jordi Pablo.
Goals: Rossi
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Attendance: 18,675
roy boy, hereford around 9 months, 3 weeks ago