The 35-year-old was axed by the Chelsea owner less than a year into his contract in 2012 after struggling to build a consistent run of results and experiencing problems with a number of senior players.

Spurs currently sit above Chelsea in the Premier League after going 12 games unbeaten, and can move five points ahead of the Blues with a win over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Villas-Boas feels Spurs are now strong enough to hold on after the pain of missing out on the Champions League last season.

"We won't know that until the end of the season," he said when asked if Spurs' 12-game unbeaten run proved anything to Abramovich. "I won't be egocentric now - we must wait.

"Even if we have a setback I think we are able to bounce back. The players are really up for it after what they suffered last season."

Tottenham have had a hectic schedule after beating Inter 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night and overcoming Arsenal 2-1 last Sunday, but Villas-Boas suggests a fine run of form will boost the players instead.

"Liverpool wanted to win (the Europa League) too," he said. "I am sure Brendan (Rodgers) would still prefer to be in it. Legs can be a little bit tired but we can respond as we have in the past after the Europa League.

"Most of the players now look at each other with pride. That makes a difference because all of them see that we're going in the same direction towards achieving success."