Villas-Boas not out for revenge

The Portuguese lasted less than a season in charge at Stamford Bridge before taking over at its London rival this northern summer.

He will be looking for his new side to hand the Blues its first Premier League defeat of the season and will not be distracted by thoughts of trying to get one over on his former employer.

Villas-Boas said: "In the end this is one thing that has been blown out of proportion. This game is not a personal matter for me.

"Both teams will have decisive matches after this. We play in a situation with four wins in a row, but our opponents are the same.

"This team prevented Tottenham from playing in the Champions League and FA Cup final. It has the ingredients to be a spectacular match."

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris did his chances of a place in Spurs' starting XI no harm with a clean sheet against Aston Villa last time out after coming in for veteran Brad Friedel.

League leader Chelsea will be without captain John Terry, who will start his a four-match ban after today accepting that sanction and a fine from the Football Association for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

The club is understood to have handed Terry a further fine, but he will remain as club captain and will not have any further suspension. It is keeping the details of its punishment private.