Tottenham will look to carry forward their slender 2-1 advantage when visit Lyon in the round of 32 of the Europa League Thursday.

Gareth Bale inspired Spurs to a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane in the first leg, and Andre Villas-Boas will be hoping for more of the same from his side, while saying he was not too concerned with the fact that Spurs might be too over-reliant on the brilliance of Bale.

"This is always the problem with big teams," he said. "Barcelona rely on Messi, Real Madrid rely on Ronaldo?

"But the great players have to make the difference. They are the stars and Gareth has been magnificent this season. It's something we are fortunate to have -- players who can be decisive on those moments."

Instead, Villas-Boas is trying to get the best out of Emmanuel Adebayor, who has so far failed to ignite and find the form of last season, which earned him the move to Spurs from Manchester City.

"We're trying to unlock the best of Adebayor. Last year shows as an example of what we're trying to get out of him," Villas-Boas added.

"The team has adapted its style of play, which can relate to the dynamic of how he adapts to the other players.

"We have been speaking to him about how he can get into that goal-scoring position. Strikers live off goals and we're doing everything we can to try and unlock his full potential."

Spurs will be without Jermain Defoe, who is expected to start training only next week, while Sandro, Younnes Kaboul and Tom Huddlestone are also ruled out.

The Spurs manager has the not too easy task of keeping his side in the top four in the English Premier League while also mounting a serious challenge in the Europa League, Tottenham's only hope of silverware for this season.

"Obviously the ultimate objective for the club will be to qualify for the Champions League," he added. "If we are able to win the competition, it would be absolutely magnificent for us.

"I don't think one will put in question the other. We are able to continue in both competitions. We have plenty of time to rest after Europa league ties so I think it's possible to continue approaching them in the same way."

To watch Lyon vs Tottenham Live Stream, click here.

Expected lineups: Tottenham: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Dembele, Parker; Lennon, Holtby, Bale; Adebayor.

Lyon: Vercoutre; Reveillere, Lovren, Bisevac, Umtiti; Gonalons, Fofana, Lacazette, Malbranque; Lopez, Gomis.

Prediction: 1-1