AVB defiant as pressure grows on Blues

Under-pressure Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed he had to explain his team selection to Roman Abramovich’s advisers after the club’s 3-1 defeat to Napoli.

Villas-Boas left out experienced campaigners Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Michael Essien for the Champions League last 16 clash in Italy, preferring instead to field Raul Meireles, Jose Bosingwa and Florent Malouda.

The move backfired as the Blues went on to suffer the first-leg loss which nudged them close to the exit of a competition Abramovich craves.