Townsend has made eight appearances in all competitions for the club so far this season, scoring once, while also breaking into the England setup. 

The 22-year-old made his first two starts for his country in their final FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland, but while Villas-Boas is hopeful that the winger can can continue his form, he insists that there is plenty of competition for places at White Hart Lane.

"Whenever someone is doing well they deserve to keep their place," Villas-Boas said. 

"He (Townsend) knows he has tough competition for his place, not just from (Erik) Lamela and (Aaron) Lennon but (Gylfi) Sigurdsson and (Nacer) Chadli.

"He will continue to deliver, that's what we want."

Townsend looks set to get another chance to impress against Aston Villa on Sunday, although Villas-Boas will have to wait for Lennon to make his return from a foot injury.

Danny Rose (toe), Etienne Capoue (ankle) and Younes Kaboul (muscle strain) are also still ruled out.

On Lennon, Villas-Boas explained: "We've used these two weeks (of the international break) to build fitness, we know what he can offer us. He won't be in contention this week, but soon.

"There will be competition for the spaces on the flanks (when he returns), nothing different from before," the Portuguese continued.

"We have Chadli, Lennon, Sigurdsson, Townsend (and Lamela) - they all play on the channels and there are only two positions up for grabs.

"We have to give credit for how people are playing, Townsend has been playing well. They're all up there, Lennon will add some competition."