Villas-Boas confident of Spurs progression

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says his team still have a good chance of progressing in the Europa League after their draw at Maribor.

Group J remains wide open, as Lazio were held 1-1 by Panathinaikos, which means all four teams still have a chance to qualify for the next round with three games remaining.

Gyfli Sigurdsson bundled home the equaliser in the second half at the People’s Garden after Robert Beric had put the hosts in front just before the break, and Villas-Boas was happy to settle for a share of the spoils in Slovenia.

“The second half was extremely good, the first half was not so good,” he said.

“We came back into the game, which is pleasant to see again and it is good for us to bounce back.

“It is obviously not the full result we wanted bearing in mind the draw between Lazio and Panathinaikos, but certainly we will take a point.

“The group is completely open. What we face now is two games at home and I think we are in a good position in the group.

“We are in third position. We have three games to play, there are nine points to play for.

“You see the group – it is very tight. It is not a group where the leader has run off with points.”

Maribor coach Darko Milanic was disappointed his side could not hold on for victory but was delighted with the point nonetheless.

“We should have stopped the goal, but I’m very happy for my team,” he said.

“It’s an important point that keeps us alive to advance to the next stage.”

Thursday’s results leave Lazio top of the group of five points, one ahead of second-placed Maribor.

Spurs are a further point back in third, with Panathinaikos fourth on two points.