Di Canio relishing Villa clash

30 October 2012 09:51
Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio has been basking in 'positive energy' ahead of the Capital One Cup clash with Aston Villa.

The Robins head into the fourth-round clash on the back of a convincing 4-0 victory at Stevenage and, despite coming up against Premier League opposition, the Italian insists that he is calmness personified.

"You can't wait to start when you have time to wait and I don't know why but I feel positive, I feel happy, I have a positive energy," he said.

"I was thinking more about it (at the weekend) but I am getting close to the match and I am more relaxed.

"If we can do something more it would be a dream but I don't feel the pressure. I think there would be more pressure if there were some details I could use to prepare my players better.

"What we have done already is fantastic and there will be a fantastic atmosphere at the County Ground."

Di Canio's Wiltshire side are not short of confidence for the sold-out visit of Villa, who have only won one league match this season. Swindon have already eliminated Championship sides Brighton and Burnley as well as Stoke at the Britannia Stadium - their best run in the League Cup since reaching the semi-finals 17 years ago. And despite scoring three goals or more in every Capital One Cup tie so far this season Di Canio is well aware chances will be at a premium at a ground where Swindon have lost just twice since August 2011.

"Even if we have one chance to win the game, we will try to make the one chance a big chance," Di Canio said.

"The first half-hour is crucial, every first half-hour is crucial.

"This kind of game is really important tactically but if you stay one versus one and if you cut out silly mistakes in the middle of midfield, then the players can make a difference.

"It's easy to prepare for this game because the players have 200 per cent commitment to prove their quality. If you are not an intelligent manager you can fall in a trap because you can make mistakes because there is too much enthusiasm."

The Robins will be without one of their star performers in the victory over Stevenage on Saturday after on-loan Tottenham playmaker John Bostock hobbled off with a groin injury. The Italian's options could be boosted by a return to the squad for striker Andy Williams, who has not featured since October 6 because of a calf injury.

Source: team_talk