Barca’s reign ‘will end soon’

Despite acknowledging the firm foundations the Catalan giants have laid in order to achieve their remarkable recent success, the Portuguese does foresee their eventual downfall.

“These past four or five years of Barcelona will be, for sure, the exception.,” said Villas-Boas, who admits Chelsea may need to beat the Spanish giants this season if they are to end their agonising wait for Champions League glory.

“Eventually, there are years of better talent (elsewhere) and years of drought.”

Nothing would make Villas-Boas more proud than lifting the European Cup and the Blues are in the midst of their latest attempt to win the Champions League and can take a huge step towards that goal with victories in their Group E double-header against Genk.

They meet tonight in a game Chelsea will be expected to win, regardless of what team Villas-Boas fields.

Several changes are expected, with Fernando Torres almost certain to start in the midst of his domestic three-match ban.

Defender Kieran Gibbs is out of Arsenal’s game against Marseille due to a stomach muscle injury.

Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) has travelled with the squad but Bacary Sagna (broken leg), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby (both ankle) are unavailable.