Andre Villas-Boas admits the Europa League is a "strenuous" competition but maintains Tottenham will be taking it extremely seriously this year.

Villas-Boas' predecessor Harry Redknapp often used the tournament to rotate his squad and publicly criticised the long trips away on Thursday nights.

But Villas Boas is keen to do well in the competition he won as Porto manager in 2011.

"This competition is very important," said Villas-Boas.

"It's a tough competition, you have to play 15 games before you reach the final, so it's hard and strenuous and the best teams out of the Champions League are playing.

"It gives access to the European Super Cup and, for me, I always thought it was a prestigious competition and it should be promoted like that. After the Cup Winners' Cup disappeared, it is not only about the Champions League.

"If we can win a trophy, that represents a lot for Tottenham Hotspur's history as well and would be something really special."