Villas-Boas: Won't give up just yet

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AVB backs Blues in Europe

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is adamant his side has the quality to challenge for the UEFA Champions League title, despite their underwhelming season thus far.

The Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Championship outfit Birmingham in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and are already trailing Premier League leaders Manchester City by 17 points.

However, Villas-Boas remains confident his players will step up their game on the European stage where they will next meet Napoli in the last-16 of the Champions League.

“If you go past Napoli then you can have a really good chance, depending on who you get in the draw - if you get a good draw,” Villas-Boas said.

“It will be a massive challenge. Everyone saw what Napoli did in a group which put another English team out.”

He added: “The Champions League is a competition that everyone wants to win. The players will feel much more tension and feel it much more.

“There are two weeks between the games and it’s important for us to be competent and to bring the game to Stamford Bridge with a win or a draw, ideally a scoring draw. Then we can finish the business here.”