Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien were all back in the starting 11 for the English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, and their return helped fire the home side to a comprehensive victory over their struggling visitors.

Goals from David Luiz, Didier Drogba and Lampard wrapped up all three points, and Villas-Boas cut a relieved figure following Chelsea's first win from six matches in all competitions.

"Today, we got back to our normal 4-3-3, three fresh legs on the pitch," he said.

"So I think pretty straightforward."

"Lamps (Lampard) has always been competing for the place since he returned from injury and played against Everton."

"He had his chance today and played fantastically well ... Normal squad rotation and nothing new."

Despite Lampard's impressive return, Villas-Boas said the veteran was by no means guaranteed to win back a regular starting berth.

"It's not the way it works," he said.

"There are six players competing for those three positions."

"When we play with a number 10, it's even less. It's six players for two."

"You asked me directly at Napoli if Lamps was disappointed at missing the game and I assure you that he was, just like Raul (Meireles) was disappointed today, just like (Oriol) Romeu and (John) Obi Mikel."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle bemoaned his team's poor defending, after their latest defeat left them second bottom and one point adrift of safety.

"My disappointment is in the goals that were given up," he said.

"We know that it was there today, maybe not to win the game, but certainly achieve a point from the match."

"Given where we are, every point will be vital, as we know."