Source: Team_Talk
AVB revels in Blues display
Andre Villas-Boas feels Chelsea's performance in the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa bodes well for his side's title prospects this term.[LNB] Josh McEachran put Chelsea ahead with an early goal at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday when he pounced from close range and Fernando Torres came off the bench just before the hour to net the second when he diverted Florent Malouda's low strike past Shay Given to seal a deserved Barclays Asia Trophy triumph for the Blues.[LNB]Villas-Boas said: "It was good, we really found some good spaces today and it's important for the level of opposition in Aston Villa to find these spaces and have a certain amount of opportunities. It's a good sign.[LNB]"To create opportunities is one of our main objectives this season, a lot more attacking football, a lot more possession and we were able to do it today, even coping with Aston Villa's aggressiveness in their game, always testing us in behind. We were able to manage it quite well in the first half and better in the second half.[LNB]"Our defensive work is an offensive weapon and that's what I've been telling the players, we focus a lot on defensive objectives because we want the ball in our possession more and we want to attack more. For us to do it, we have to get it back as soon as possible[LNB]"The appliance of the principles was only possible because of the excellent acceptance of these principles by the players and they are able to apply it. If they weren't able to apply it, you would be doing your job wrong. I think they are enjoying it.[LNB]"Commitment-wise, motivation-wise and the professionalism of these players on this tour is something I have not seen before. It's not easy to come away from your home in these difficult conditions, always finding motivation to train, always finding motivation to play and this a good positive sign for us."[LNB]Despite seeing record signing Torres get on the scoresheet, Villas-Boas insisted the goal held no extra significance for either him or the team.[LNB]"I am happy whoever scores," he added.[LNB]"We had a couple of good chances today, a couple from Fernando, a couple from Anelka, a couple from Daniel (Sturridge), so we are just happy that the team is able to put them in the back of the net whoever scores and for us to continue winning."[LNB]The Portuguese boss was also non-committal on Chelsea's apparent lack of signings this summer.[LNB]"We have plenty of time still to decide, the squad is very, very good," he said.[LNB]"We have good talent. Maybe we will be the exception in the transfer market, I don't know. I'm already doing something by bringing the best players that we sent on loan back to the club."[LNB]Alex McLeish, meanwhile, felt it was a game too far for his Villa side after edging past Blackburn 1-0 in a hard-fought game on Wednesday.[LNB]"I thought my players looked tired tonight. It's only our third game, Chelsea have now played six," he said.[LNB]"Obviously they have superb quality as well don't forget but they did look ahead of us in sharpness. The players looked a bit leggy and we got off to a horrible start.[LNB]"They don't look any weaker that's for sure. When you see that bench, the players they brought on, Drogba and Torres in the second half, it can be quite frightening if you're not up for the challenge. I thought our lads battled away gamely, they went right to the end, there was a few running on empty, we had a few kids at the end.[LNB]Shay Given pulled off a number of good saves and McLeish feels the goalkeeper may represent the best piece of business in the transfer window.[LNB]"It's possible, we'll be able to tell that in the long run," he added.[LNB]"We knew what were bringing in so it was no surprise to see him pulling off saves like that, as long as he doesn't have to do that week in, week out."
