Villas-Boas: Valencia decider is 'life and death'

The 34-year-old Portuguese, who has overseen the club's worst start to a season since Russian Roman Abramovich took control in 2003, declined to comment on reports linking former boss Guus Hiddink with a return.

Instead, he made clear he believed he retained the backing of the owner and the players after "many meetings" this week. He said he felt sure that Chelsea could recover their winning form, adding: "Every game gives you an opportunity to get back on track and that's exactly our focus."

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