Andre Villas-Boas admits Chelsea only have themselves to blame for being on the brink of crashing out of the Champions League ahead of their do-or-die showdown against Valencia.

Villas-Boas refused to contemplate the prospect of the Blues exiting the competition before Christmas for the first time or the ignominy of being the man in charge were it to happen.

The 34-year-old last week insisted his job did not depend on the outcome of the game at Stamford Bridge, which Chelsea must win or keep a clean sheet in to progress to the last 16.

But failure would pile more pressure than ever on the new man in charge, who acknowledged mistakes had been made in the Blues' previous Group E matches that have left them facing the unthinkable.

"We just have ourselves to blame,'' said Villas-Boas, whose side threw away winning positions in their three away games at Valencia, Genk and Bayer Leverkusen."During this campaign of five games, we've done pretty well in terms of performances, but the small details have gone away from us in the last couple of minutes, at Valencia and Leverkusen.

"If that hadn't happened, we would have been sitting here in a familiar position, like in the past, and, most likely, having qualified.''

Asked whether failure would dent his personal pride, he said: "I'm not going to answer that question.

"My focus is on tomorrow's game, not what's going to happen after tomorrow's game.''

He also sidestepped a question whether tomorrow's game was the biggest of his life, saying: "It's irrelevant what the game represents to me.

"Our mindset is to continue in the competition, so we approach the game with maximum care and with confidence for tomorrow.''

Villas-Boas insisted there would be no change to the club's new attacking philosophy, despite a goalless draw being enough to progress.

"You've seen us play enough to know that we always take the initiative in a game,'' he said.

"Valencia will want to get something because a goal represents a lot to them, and makes things even more difficult for us.

"But we will try and take the initiative again and won't change our strategy.''

Central to that Valencia plan will be in-form midfielder Tino Costa, who has scored four times in the last five games.

And while his side are aware of Chelsea's struggles, the Argentina international insists they will be concentrating on themselves.

"We've been working to try and spot potential defects, but that's not what we're focusing on,'' he said. "We're here to play our own game.

"We've come here with the mentality to go out there and try and win the game.

"We are aware a draw with goals would be good for us, but Chelsea will be coming out to try and win the game, too.

"That's what we're trying to do ourselves.''

As well as disappointment for one of Villas-Boas or Valencia boss Unai Emery, there will be sadness at full-time either for Chelsea winger Juan Mata or his former Valencia team-mates.

Costa said: "The whole squad feels affection for Juan, but we're really motivated by the game in general.

"It'll be a special game for Mata, but our motivation is going through to the last 16. That's what we're here to try and do.''


Match

chelsea will win this one. Its sure!

Why am i seeing Valencia in the knock out stage?
Chelsea 1 Valencia 1

This game is ending in a draw, Chelsea, Man united and Man city should all go and play in the Europa cup

up gunners

I sorry sorry o, I sorry for Chelsea.

Today bah?

Chelsea all the way

chelsea welcome to europa league.
It been a pleasure!!

@bonyface
no o! its Tomorrow o!!

Up chelsea we are winning 3 nil

^ what a dream!!

^ hehe
na laugh i go dey busy dey laugh una tonight!
Please make sure you come back here after the match.


Thanks!

Anyone's got a link to the game please?

1-0

Goal! Drogba!

any link please

link link link link ooooooooooooooooo

Chelsea 1 Valencia 0 Drogba

Cometh the hour Cometh the man Didier Drogbaaaaaa

let torres continue keeping the shape

@present; chelsea 1 valencia 0

King ramirezzzzz

chelsea 2 0 valencia

Ramires 2 0

9icelag:

Ttanks bro

you are welcom

Goaaaaaaaaaaal chelsea 2

Ramiresss! Gooooaaaalll!