Valencia boosted by draw

"It leaves a good taste," midfielder David Albelda told reporters. "...it puts us in a good position for the return leg. We'd all have settled for this result before the match."

"Against Inter Milan we drew in the San Siro and progressed to this stage by not conceding a goal in the Mestalla. We are going to have to play a great game to put us through but at least it will be in our own stadium," he added.

Former Chelsea fullback Asier del Horno said: "It was the result we wanted".

David Silva blasted Valencia ahead after 30 minutes with a stunning 25-metre shot at Stamford Bridge.

But Chelsea levelled in the 53rd when Didier Drogba took advantage of indecisiveness between Roberto Ayala and Santiago Canizares to nod home a long Ashley Cole punt.

"To play these types of teams you need to concentrate 100 percent and the only error we made in the 90 minutes cost us the win," Albelda added.

While content with the result, Valencia's players and management remained wary of the threat posed by the English champions in Tuesday's return leg.

"The tie is tipped 51 percent in our favour," said Valencia sports director Amedeo Carboni.

"Chelsea are very tough, very Italian in style, and put a lot of players in midfield. In this respect it means they are probably better away from home."

One player likely to be missing at the Mestalla is winger Vicente who suffered a torn thigh muscle and was substituted after the break. Spanish media reported he could be out for a month.

"We are going to be without Vicente for some time. It is upsetting because he gives us that extra quality and when he isn't there we notice his absence," said Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores.