Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Tue 31 March 2026 10:10, UK

Aston Villa will be just as relieved as John McGinn following his return from injury.

The midfielder was sidelined in January and has revealed that he was “petrified”, with his World Cup hopes on the line, alongside the impact on Villa’s end to the season.

The Scotsman has returned to the fold in recent weeks, and it is like he was never away – instantly proving what the Villans have been missing.

Unai Emery’s side are locked in a battle for Champions League football, while they are one of the favourites to go on and win the Europa League.

With their captain now fully back in action, Villa will be just as relieved as McGinn.

John McGinn was petrified following injury scare

After a sensational festive period saw Villa battling league leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, things started to turn for Emery’s side in the new year.

Villa’s 1-0 loss to Everton in January would prove to be his last for months, while the Villans’ form dropped during the absence of both the Scotsman and Youri Tielemans.

The B6 outfit would get themselves back on track heading into the international break, with McGinn playing an integral role – netting a first half screamer, before his tireless work rate and energy saw Villa look much more like the side fans have become accustomed to watching at Villa Park.

Speaking to BBC Scotland during the international break, McGinn said: “I remember right away feeling ‘this isn’t right’, after sustaining a knee injury during the Everton loss.

“I blocked a pass against Everton, and I knew right away. Obviously, I’ve experienced players that have done serious knee injuries, six months plus, feeling able to walk off. So, my worry was there, I was petrified really.”

After fearing the worst, the midfielder said: “It was good news that it was only sort of a minor knee injury, but still when you need to look after, the knee reacts in different ways to surgery, but it could have been a lot, lot worse.

“It was an important time for the club. An important time, big part of the season with big games, but then as the days went on, it started to swell more, and there was more fluid in the knee. As much as I like to think I could have braved on, it was clear quite soon that I needed the surgery.”

McGinn would undergo the surgery, ruling him out until the weeks leading up to the ongoing international break.

After a situation that could have been much worse, Villa will be just as relieved as their skipper as they head into the season’s crunch point.

John McGinn remains a talismanic figure for Aston Villa

Since joining the club from Hibs in 2018, McGinn has continued to adapt to every situation thrown at him.

Starting out in the middle of the park, McGinn has since taken on a role out wide under Emery – a role in which he has thrived.

As demonstrated in the graphic provided by Sofascore below, the 31-year-old is simply everywhere for Emery.

A bundle of energy with tireless work rate, McGinn is crucial both in and out of possession for Villa.

And while he may not be the silkiest of technicians, his ability on the ball is second to none, with the midfielder utilising his frame perfectly to hold off defenders, while his fantastic left foot is a huge asset in the final third.

During his absence, the Villans looked toothless, with no real impetus or drive coming out of midfield, limiting Emery’s side to more mundane possession-based football.

Alongside the tempo-controlling abilities of the returning Tielemans, McGinn has returned in time for a crucial part of the season.

Looking to return to the Champions League, the club will be incredibly relieved to see him back in action, and are now back in good standing as they battle for a spot in Europe’s premier competition.