• Europa League

Villas-Boas: We want to win Europa League

Andre Villas-Boas says Tottenham are committed to winning the Europa League © PA Photos

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Andre Villas-Boas says winning the Europa League remains a major ambition for Tottenham this season despite a frustrating draw against Panathinaikos.

Tottenham were in complete control of their Group J game against the Greek side, but were left to rue their inability to put the game beyond their opponents as Jose Toche equalised to secure a point.

Villas-Boas won the competition with FC Porto two years ago and has now reiterated his desire to lift the trophy again with his new club.

"The ambition we set for this competition is to go to the final, to win the trophy," he said. "It is a trophy this club have won in the past so we embrace this tradition. We will try to qualify from this group and then take it from there."

Villas-Boas, whose team now sit third in Group J, two points behind Lazio, brushed aside suggestions his team thought the game was over before the final whistle.

"I don't think we were complacent," Villas-Boas said. "We have to give credit to Panathinaikos, they pressed much more and started to gain belief from that and that led to the goal.

"I think the whole team felt a bit disappointed because the first half was so positive and we were in control of situation. We were a bit sloppy in the second half. I understand the disappointment at not putting the game to bed, but in the end we congratulated the players because if it had been other way round, the whole perspective would have been different.

"Panathinaikos came at us very strong in the second half, they made a change with Ibrahim Sissoko. He improved the quality of their game and could not stay in control of game so much in second half."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.