In bed with Di Canio! Passionate Paolo says Swindon beating Villa would be better than sex with Madonna

• Paolo Di Canio reckons a Swindon win over Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup would be better than having sex with Madonna.

Di Canio welcomes Villa to the County Ground on Tuesday night and the Robins boss cannot wait to get stuck in to Premier League opposition.

Like Material Girl singer Madonna, Villa produced their best work in the 1980s and Di Canio fancies his chances of an upset.

She shoots, she scores: Madonna or victory over Aston Villa - it's a tough choice

The Italian scored the winner for West Ham against Manchester United in the FA Cup in 2001 and is looking forward to being the underdog once more.

He said: 'When I scored against United it was very exciting to look around and see 9,000 people celebrating away from home.

'Sending Manchester United out was amazing. It was like having sex with Madonna and beating Villa as a manager would be just as good.

'Better than having sex with Madonna? Let me try it and I will give you an honest answer.'

Di Canio has been basking in 'positive energy' ahead of the game.

The Robins head into the fourth-round tie on the back of a convincing 4-0 victory at Stevenage and Di Canio insists 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. 

Up for the cup: Paolo Di Canio is looking forward to facing Aston Villa

'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. 

Tester: Aston Villa head for Swindon on the back of a 1-1 draw with Norwich

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.