John McGinn’s knee injury in Villa’s clash with Everton back in January sparked the start of a run of one win in seven for Unai Emery’s side.
In McGinn’s absence, Villa were unable to find any form and slipped out of the Premier League title.
But for the Villa skipper, although he wanted to make a return to aid his club side - his fears were beyond the end of this season.
The captain has now battled back to fitness and has returned in goalscoring fashion in recent weeks.
But in an honest interview with BBC Scotland ahead of a friendly with the Ivory Coast this week - the midfielder admitted he was ‘scared’ following the January injury, that he would not recover in time for the World Cup.
Scotland put an end to a 28 year wait to feature in a World Cup - but McGinn was left fearing he may not be there.
He told BBC Scotland: “I was scared.
"I remember right away feeling, oh this isn't right. It was 10, 15 minutes into the game, I blocked a pass against Everton and I knew right away, so my hand goes up and obviously I've known experienced players who have done serious knee injuries six months plus feeling able to walk off.
"I was petrified really, but then you get the scan and you wait and thankfully it was good news that it was only a minor knee injury.
John McGinn and his Scotland teammates train ahead of the Ivory Coast match.placeholder image
John McGinn and his Scotland teammates train ahead of the Ivory Coast match. | Getty Images
"The knee obviously reacts in different ways to surgery, but it could have been a lot, lot worse. It was expected to be six to eight weeks. Managed to come back in six weeks.
"I thought it was an important time for the club, an important time of the season, big games, but then, as the days went on, it started to swell more and there was more fluid in the knee,
"So, as much as I like to think I could have braved on, it was clear quite soon that I needed the surgery. As you get older, of course, you need to look after your body. I'm 31 now, so to do anything crazy would be wild."
Villa’s form has picked up and after McGinn came back into the side - they secured their progression in the Europa League.
John McGinn celebrates in the win over Lilleplaceholder image
John McGinn celebrates in the win over Lille | Getty Images
They are in the mix to qualify for Champions League football next season - and McGinn insists it is credit to the squad that they are able to keep competing despite not being on the same financial level as others at the top.
He added: “We just missed out on goal difference last season for the Champions League with a bit of a dodgy decision at Old Trafford.
"But we were so close and it hurt, so we are using the hurt from last season to drive us on.
"But what we're competing against are massive institutions, powerful clubs who can spend whatever they like.
"We are obviously a massive club in our own right, but for us to continuously compete at that level is huge credit to all of us involved at the club."
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