Watford will pay tribute to supporters who have died during the pandemic next Saturday against Aston Villa.

The global covid-19 outbreak has prevented fans from filling Vicarage Road since the 3-0 win over Liverpool on February 29, 2020.

A year and a half on, the Hornets have been relegated and subsequently climbed back into the top flight, in front of predominantly empty stadiums.

With fans finally permitted to fill grounds once again, the club wants to both acknowledge the work of the NHS during the pandemic, while also paying tribute to those who have died.

The match will also be the fourth Graham Taylor matchday, with Taylor having also managed next weekend's opponents.

Watford are asking for fans to send in pictures of supporters who of family members and loved ones, with names attached, so that their deaths can be commemorated on the opening weekend of the season.

A statement on the club website reads: "The opening fixture of the 2021/22 Premier League season will be the fourth Graham Taylor Matchday, as well as an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the NHS and to pay tribute to those in the Watford family who are no longer with us.

As part of this remembrance, we would like supporters to send in photographs of loved ones who have passed during this difficult time, with a name attached, so we can properly commemorate their passing.

This could be a picture in Watford colours, with friends and family, at Vicarage Road, or one that is particularly special to you."

The club have requested that anyone who wants to submit a photograph does so using the subject line 'PHOTO TRIBUTE', to elliot.murray@watfordfc.com by Monday, August 9.