Xisco Munoz wants Watford to keep playing with passion

The Spaniard was able to mastermind a 3-2 home win over Aston Villa last weekend on the Hornets’ return to the top flight.

It was Xisco’s first match as a manager in the Premier League and he insisted every goal will be met with the same emotion this season.

He said: “You know how much (pre-season) work our players had? It was seven weeks.

“Seven weeks: morning, afternoon, morning, afternoon so when you come into your first game in the Premier League and you see the players are ready to play and they are doing very good, I was very happy.

“I also want to enjoy this situation. I am happy when we score, of course and I want the best. This is my passion and I think everyone has this passion because it is football. Football without passion is not football. I want to enjoy, work hard and jump when we score.”

Munoz will have to celebrate without a few key players this weekend, should the Hornets claim a second victory, with a few missing for varying reasons.

Earlier on Thursday, Ozan Tufan completed a season-long loan to Watford, with an option to buy the Fenerbahce midfielder on a permanent deal next summer inserted into the contract.

Xisco confirmed the Turkey international would not be ready to face Brighton this weekend, while Juraj Kucka – another summer recruit – is set to miss out after he sustained a thigh injury during the win over Villa.

Kiko Femenia and Joshua King are in contention again but Joao Pedro (knee) and Nathaniel Chalobah (illness) remain absent and Will Hughes is not currently part of the first-team squad.

Hughes starred last season but only has one-year left on his current and has been linked with a move away from Vicarage Road after failing to sign new terms with the Hornets.

Xisco admitted: “It is the same situation. You know sometimes it happens with these things where the agent or club speak about the situation. It is the moment for waiting and we will see what happens in the future.”