Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has insisted that there "will be more opportunities" for David Villa after the striker was forced to withdraw from the latest La Roja squad.
Villa made his first Spain appearance since the 2014 World Cup on Saturday night - featuring as a late substitute in the 3-0 win over Italy at the Bernabeu.
The 35-year-old will be unavailable for Spain's next 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein on Tuesday night after suffering an adductor injury, but Lopetegui has confirmed that Villa is still very much in his plans moving forward.
"Villa's injury is a real setback for us both professionally and personally," Lopetegui told reporters. "It's sad for everyone but there will be more opportunities for him.
"I didn't hear to our fans asking for Villa on Saturday - I couldn't make it out as I was concentrating on the game! He came on because it was the right change for us tactically at the time."
New York City FC forward Villa is Spain's all-time leading goalscorer with 59 strikes to his name.
Matt Law
