AVB: We’ll give Europa respect

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes the Europa League will be given the respect it deserves when his side face Lyon in the last 32 of the competition.

Villas-Boas, who lifted the trophy in his first season in charge at Porto in 2011, thinks the quality on display in the second-tier competition should not be underestimated after yesterday’s last-32 draw in Nyon threw up some tough fixtures.

While reigning European champions Chelsea will face Sparta Prague in the knockout stages and Newcastle have been paired with Metalist Kharkiv, Liverpool’s game with Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg is another mouthwatering tie worthy of the Champions League, according to the Portuguese.