Chelsea captain John Terry has admitted that the team let down ousted manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Villas-Boas was sacked by the Stamford Bridge outfit last weekend after a poor run of form that has left them 20 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City.

Terry has since defended his former boss, acknowledging that Chelsea's current plight is ultimately down to the players.

He told Chelsea TV: "Sad for Andre, because unfortunately it falls on his head, when I think the players would hold their hands up and say, 'Clearly, we've not been good enough and we all made mistakes together'."

"He's the man whose head's on the block and unfortunately goes."

The Blues skipper dedicated last night's FA Cup 2-0 victory over Birmingham City to Villas-Boas, as well as caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo and assistant Eddie Newton.

"We dug deep for him, for Robbie as well taking charge, Eddie coming in as well - it's nice to have familiar faces around who know the club," he added.

"We've done enough talking amongst ourselves over the last three or four months.

Terry recently returned to the Chelsea side following knee surgery.