Torres was dropped to the substitutes' bench as Chelsea maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a comfortable 2-1 win at Sunderland on Saturday.
The Spain international was forced to watch his replacement, Daniel Sturridge, score an impudent back-heeled goal on Wearside before making an ineffective 14-minute cameo as a substitute.
However, Villas-Boas insists Torres remains an integral part of his plans with Chelsea about to embark on their latest European adventure.
"I don't feel it was brave (to drop Torres)," Villas-Boas said. "This situation is nothing to do with that.
"We have four wonderful strikers and they all compete for the forward positions. They all offer a different threat and talents, and today the choice fell to (Nicolas) Anelka. There's nothing special about that.
"Fernando offers the same and has been playing magnificently well for the last three games as well, but Nicolas showed what he can do with his minutes on the pitch.
"We decided to go with this because Nicolas hasn't played in the international break."
When asked what Torres has to do to get back into the first team, Villas-Boas added: "Nothing special. Everyone's competing for a place in the side."
Chelsea's third win in four Premier League games was secured through a first-half strike from skipper John Terry and Sturridge's goal six minutes after the break.
South Korean striker Ji Dong-won claimed a stoppage-time consolation for Sunderland, but the extent of Chelsea's superiority was considerable, with the visitors causing constant problems with their slick passing and fluid movement.
"It went very well for us in terms of what we want to achieve," said Villas-Boas. "Not that we haven't tried to do it before but it just didn't happen in the other three games.
"Fortunately, we were able to do the passing game that relates more to how we train and I have to say we're very happy."
Prior to kick-off, Sunderland confirmed their £13 million club record signing, Asamoah Gyan, had joined UAE side Al-Ain on a season-long loan.
The Ghana international was linked with a succession of clubs before the European transfer window closed on August 31, and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits he was disappointed with the striker's actions as he agitated for a move away from Wearside.
"He's been unsettled for weeks and months," Bruce said. "The rumours started with Real Madrid five months ago, and they've ended with the UAE.
"We're disappointed, but I've never kept a player at a football club who didn't want to be there.
"If you don't want to play for the team and the jersey then what's the point?
"I can't understand why any player would want to leave the English Premier League for the UAE.
"It's not for football reasons is it? I'll let other people make their minds up on that."
Source: AFP
Source: AFP