AVB throws down Europa League gauntlet to Tottenham

With his side in contention for a top-four finish Villas-Boas wants to lay down an early marker for a possible return to the European elite.

"This could be a test of whether we're good enough to play in the Champions League," said the Spurs boss.

"I think we've been handed the most difficult draw of this knock-out phase. This is like a Champions League tie."

Villas-Boas won the Europa League with Porto in 2011 - the year Spurs last appeared in the Champions League - and has made it clear he wants to win a competition he does not regard as weak.

Spurs fans would surely trade their Europa League place for Champions League qualification but that will not stop the manager from naming a full-strength side at White Hart Lane.

The exception is in goal, where Brad Friedel is likely to get a run-out as Hugo Lloris drops to the bench for the visit of his former club.

The Portuguese said: "We know this tie represents a lot to Hugo on a personal level but, out of respect and confidence to Brad, we will continue to apply the same principle we have in the past and rotate the goalkeepers."

Villas-Boas has a dilemma in defence, with Michael Dawson, Steven Caulker and Jan Vertonghen vying for a place alongside William Gallas.

The manager also expects to have Younes Kaboul fit again in two weeks and he admitted he will have to cut one of his centre-backs loose at the end of the season.

Gallas is the most likely candidate to leave given that his contract expires in June - two months before he turns 36.

"It's a difficult one," said Villas-Boas. "We have five top central defenders at the moment."

With Jermain Defoe injured, striker Emmanuel Adebayor will lead the line against a strong Lyon side featuring Lisandro Lopez, Yoann Gourcuff and Bafetimbi Gomis.

In tomorrow's other Europa League action, Newcastle host Ukraine's Metalist Kharkiv and Liverpool travel to Russia to face Zenit St Petersburg.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew will field a side which is "the strongest it can be" as his injury crisis eases.

He said: "I am back to a team that's very similar to the one I had last year in terms of strength and quality.

"Yohan Cabaye, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Moussa Sissoko - they have strengthened our hand."

Liverpool have a virtually full-strength squad, apart from the cup-tied Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.

Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Jose Reina and Jamie Carragher all travelled to Russia.