"Jermain scored 17 goals last year. He was a key player and will continue to be. That's the expectancy I have with regards to his future.
Tremendous
"Competition is something that he is used to. The goal he scored yesterday (on Wednesday as England beat Italy 2-1) shows he can make the difference.
"He is tremendous. It was a great goal, he has great technical ability."
Defoe is the only senior striker on Spurs' books at present, but Villas-Boas intends to bolster his ranks before the transfer window slams shut - with it hoped that an agreement can be reached with Emirates Marketing Project for Adebayor, who took in a successful loan spell at White Hart Lane in 2011/12.
Villas-Boas added: "There are talks. They have been happening for quite some time.
"We have touched on different players in that position, but we have not been able to conclude a deal.
"Our focus and attention is towards that position, which we will try to sort out next week."