Villas-Boas targets first Spurs trophy
TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas hopes his side can successfully see off Lyon in tonight’s Europa League last 32, second leg and go on to land their first European trophy in 28 years.
Two goals from Welsh wizard Gareth Bale give Tottenham a 2-1 advantage going in to tonight’s tie at the Stade de Gerland and a potential last-16 encounter with Italian giants Inter Milan awaits.
But Villas-Boas insists his team have what it takes to reach the final in Amsterdam and bring the trophy back to White Hart Lane for the first time since 1984.
“For the history of the club, if we are able to win the competition, it will be magnificent,” he said.
“Lyon will be up for it. They have a lot of experience in Europe, but we have confidence.”
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’s dreams of a reunion with the club he left in an £8m summer move for north London appear to be in tatters with 41-year-old Brad Friedel set to feature for a third consecutive Europa League tie.
Spurs will also be without striker Jermain Defoe who continues to nurse an ankle injury, while defender Younes Kaboul and midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Sandro are also sidelined by injury.