"Terry got a yellow card from a throw-in," Villas-Boas said. "Ashley Cole was looking for the best options and couldn't find any so Terry's out on Tuesday.
"It wasn't a deliberate yellow card as they're not allowed by UEFA. "Frank Lampard was also on four yellow cards and we didn't force it."
The yellow card was Terry's fifth of the season, meaning he must serve a one-game suspension. That puts him out of Tuesday's Carling Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool and its timing drew scrutiny to the incident. Some accuse Terry of committing the deliberate act so that he would not be suspended for any of Chelsea's upcoming league games.
The fifth-placed Blues have a packed December ahead of them. They start with a trip to Newcastle on Dec. 3 before meeting hosting Spanish club Valencia in a must-win UEFA Champions League game three days later.
It doesn't get any easier for Chelsea, as Manchester City visits Stamford Bridge on Dec. 12. The rest of the month's schedule includes back-to-back games against London rivals Tottenham and Fulham. Wigan and Aston Villa are included in the schedule.
Terry could benefit from a little extra rest at the beginning of the month as his 30-year-old legs are beginning to show signs of wear and tear.
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