Tottenham sit third in the Premier League, with Champions League qualification part of Villas-Boas' remit when he replaced Harry Redknapp at the helm last summer.
The Portuguese admits securing a top-four finish is important but pointed towards former club Chelsea as an example of a team who have won silverware after missing out on the Champions League places.
"We want to focus on trying to win the Europa League but we understand that the fans' and the club's expectations are for us to try and reach Champions League qualification this year," he said.
"What sets the success of a football team is their league position at the end of every season but we want to do extremely well in the competition.
"It would be very, very important for us to get a trophy this season and I think we have taken great steps towards the future by the way we have embraced this competition.
"We were rewarded with two great opponents [Inter Milan and Lyon] who are full of Champions League experience and Basle is another one.
"I think it always dictates the success of a season, your league position, but winning a trophy is always important.
"Chelsea finished sixth last season but it was completely overshadowed by the fact they won two major competitions and the most important competition in the world – it was deemed a successful season in the end."
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