Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue will miss tomorrow’s home game against relegated Aston Villa and is unlikely to play again this season.

Capoue suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace.

The 27-year-old was stretchered off in the first half and head coach Quique Sanchez Flores does not expect him to return for the final four Premier League games.

Flores said: “He will probably be out for the rest of the season.

“He was one of the main players during the season but now we have the opportunity for other players who can play more. It is not a serious injury but maybe we just need to wait for the last part [of season].”

The rest of the squad should be available and attacker Nordin Amrabat could return after being suspended for the game at Wembley.

While Watford have another season in the Premier League to look forward to, it has been a disastrous campaign for Aston Villa. The side were relegated a couple of weeks ago and have lost their last ten league matches.

Despite propping up the table, Flores insists his team are taking nothing for granted against their opponents.

The Spaniard said: “We need to respect Aston Villa. I am sad because we play against those players who are suffering relegation. I admire a lot Aston Villa because when I was watching the Premier League, they were one of the historic teams so it was a pity they were relegated.

“But we know perfectly at the start of the season the squad and the potentials of this team is very high. It is higher than the possibilities for Watford but life is like this.”

Flores added: “They are relegated and we are in a very good position but the difference between teams is not much. They have amazing players but are in a bad moment. That’s why I repeat we are not playing against a bad team.”