Chelsea sources scoff at AVB row with Roman reports

Chelsea sources are playing down reports that manager Andre Villas-Boas is in the firing line after a "frosty" chat with Roman Abramovich.

A Sunday newspaper claimed the Russian billionaire was upset with the club's form - especially the recent 5-3 home defeat by Arsenal - and AVB's treatment of Frank Lampard.

And there have been suggestions that Abramovich would like Guus Hiddink, who resigned as Turkey manager last week,  to return to the club in an advistory capacity - a move the Portuguese is thought to oppose.

But a Stamford Bridge source said there was no truth to the allegations.

Villas-Boas has said he does not expect Hiddink to return to Chelsea.

He claimed last week: "He's a top manager. At the moment, there's no vacancy. I'm sure that, when there's a vacancy, he'll be in contention. But it's not my understanding that there is any thought of him coming back here."