Villas-Boas happy with Chelsea win

31 July 2011 08:00

Boss 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 with the start of the new Barclays Premier League season just a fortnight away.

Josh McEachran put Chelsea ahead with an early goal at Hong Kong Stadium 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.

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."

He added: "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.

"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

"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.

"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."

Despite seeing record signing Torres get on the scoresheet, Villas-Boas insisted the goal held no extra significance for either him or the team.

"I am happy whoever scores," he added.

"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."

Source: PA