Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas insists he needs Lewis Holtby this season.

The Germany international has struggled for minutes since the start of the campaign.

AVB said: "There are more opportunities for Holtby. Last season we were playing differently with two strikers, so that left him with fewer possibilities and whenever he came in he had to play off the channels.

"This season because we are playing with three in the middle he is showing the reasons why we bought him."