Spurs’ AVB prays for luck in top-four chase

LONDON. Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas remains upbeat about his side’s chances of Uefa Champions League qualification, despite their destiny no longer being in their hands after the 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

Friday, May 10, 2013

LONDON. Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas remains upbeat about his side’s chances of Uefa Champions League qualification, despite their destiny no longer being in their hands after the 2-2 draw with Chelsea.Wednesday’s gripping encounter at Stamford Bridge left Spurs just below the Champions League qualifying places, a point behind fourth-place Arsenal and three points shy of Chelsea with two games to play.It means Spurs need the teams above them to drop points if they are to creep into the top four, but Villas-Boas applauded his team’s desire to secure qualification."There was a great example of Tottenham’s ambition and determination tonight (Wednesday) when the players picked the ball out of the net after we scored for 2-2,” he said."It shows how much we want to be there. Hopefully we’ll be rewarded by qualifying."We don’t just depend on ourselves anymore. Our destiny is not in our hands. What we have to do is win our next two matches and see if anyone can slip up and change our position.”With Arsenal not in action until they host FA Cup finalists Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, Spurs can move into the top four by winning at Stoke City on Sunday, 24 hours after Chelsea visit Aston Villa."The next fixture is decisive for everyone,” said Villas-Boas."Arsenal have had all this time to rest (10 days), which can or can’t be an advantage. It won’t be an advantage for Wigan to play after the cup final (against Manchester City on Saturday), but that’s the reality of the fixtures.