AVB avoids talk about Chelsea future

Villas-Boas has reportedly been assured his job as manager is safe should he fail to win the title but the Blues are now in danger of not qualifying for the Champions League, something that could test billionaire owner Roman Abramovich's patience to the limit.

Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa was certainly not the result the Russian was looking for ahead of his £5million New Year's Eve party in the Caribbean, with Chelsea's habit of conceding late goals returning with a vengeance.

Quizzed on what it might mean for his job security, Villas-Boas said: "You'll have to ask that question to the owner, but I have no other information on the contract."

Pressed further on whether a top four finish was a minimum requirement, he replied: "I think the minimum requirement for a club like this is first place."

He added ahead of Monday's game at Wolves: "Now we are fifth, below the top four. But we have to wait and see.

"It can change within 48 hours, though. That's a good thing.

"We have a chance to produce something."

There were jeers from some home fans at the final whistle, which Villas-Boas admitted was justified.

The Portuguese dismissed the prospect of closing the 11-point gap to leaders Manchester City - who play their game in hand at Sunderland on Sunday - as "fantasy".

He added: "Our reality is a fourth-placed finish, but that is not good enough.

"We have to continue to pursue the best possible finish in the league, and a humble finish for this club."

Villas-Boas then launched a completely unprompted attack on the festive fixture list, which gave his side four matches in an 11-day period, in contrast to United, whose games were spread over 15 days.

"I don't think it's fair for the calendar to be spread in this way," Villas-Boas said, less than two weeks after insisting he had no problem with the scheduling.

"For us to go through this period with 48 hours in between, it should be done for every club.

"I know that television demands are high, but for all the players, they'll go through physical strain and physical integrity, which can undermine their careers or their Euro 2012 ambitions - and the club's objectives."

Villas-Boas once again refused to accept any criticism of his defence, which conceded late goals to lose a home match for the third time this season.

Rejecting suggestions the signing of Gary Cahill was now a matter of urgency, he said: "I don't see that performance being only related to defensive problems.

"If there is something to correct, we need to regain that confidence in the way we build up from the back.

"It's an easy thing to solve with players of this technical ability. I will keep away from defensive fragilities."

Villas-Boas was also non-committal on whether Didier Drogba would still be at Chelsea at the end of the January transfer window.

The striker scored his 150th goal for the Blues from the penalty spot to draw level with Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley in the club's all-time list.

Villas-Boas also said he wanted Frank Lampard to stay at the club amid reports linking him with LA Galaxy.

Drogba's penalty was cancelled out by Stephen Ireland's first goal for Villa and first for two years before Stiliyan Petrov and Darren Bent pounced late on.

Manager Alex McLeish hailed the victory as his finest moment since taking charge.

"It's my most satisfying day so far, but I'm hoping there are many more to come," said the former Birmingham boss, who has struggled to win over the Villa fans.

"I'm a guy who perseveres, who gets back up after being knocked down pretty regularly.

"The players can enjoy this tonight - I don't mean going out on the town, but in terms of confidence levels."

He added after what was only Villa's second win in eight games: "The players were outstanding.

"They never gave up, went to the final whistle."

Ireland followed McLeish's orders to make headlines on the field after being pictured on Twitter smoking a Shisha pipe.

McLeish said: "He must have caught everybody's eye today. He was excellent.

"He's got to take that forward. That's got to be the standard every game."

McLeish also dismissed reports of a fallout with Bent, who returned from injury as a substitute today.

"It's absolute rubbish," he said.

"I've never had a problem with Darren - unless he tells you different."