Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas wary of Basel's experience

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas admits he is wary of Swiss side Basel because of their superior European experience.

Villas-Boas' side host the Swiss Super League champions in their Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

Basel played in the Champions League in the two seasons before this one, reaching the round of 32 in 2011-12.

"Obviously they have recent European experience that we don't have," Villas-Boas said of a side who have beaten Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Basel took four points off United in last season's group stages of the Champions League as the English side went out, while they beat Bayern 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie before the German side hammered them 7-0 in the second leg.

Tottenham have featured in the Champions League on only one occasion. They reached the quarter-finals in the 2010-11 season before being knocked out by Real Madrid.

"They have got tremendous results in the past year with Man United and teams like Bayern - teams they have surprised. They are extremely successful and one of the best teams in the country," Villas-Boas said.

While concerned by the Swiss side's European experience, Villas-Boas is confident he possesses the better squad.

"I'm sure that the key to the game will be both teams' motivations and the quality of the individuals," he said.

"We have to admit that we have superior players but, on the other hand, the experience Basel have and the fact they have played in the Champions League and are regular trophy winners makes them also one of the favourites."