Zenit executed counter-attacking plan - Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas says Zenit's plans to allow Valencia to dominate possession paid off in their 3-2 Champions League win on Wednesday.

The Spanish side had 62 per cent possession and had 15 shots at goal to Zenit's seven, but were beaten by Axel Witsel's winner at the Mestalla.

Villas-Boas insists that Zenit planned to play on the counter, with Hulk scoring a first-half brace before Witsel powered home the decisive effort in the second period.

"We played well, although we let Valencia have most of the possession. That was our strategy - to counter-attack," the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss said.

"That is how we got our three goals. The result is fair. To have a lot of the ball in football does not necessarily mean a lot.

"That can work during a match and today we were fortunate to win the game using this strategy.

"We did not have the majority of the possession, but when we had the ball we did well."