By Paul Brown

Seeing the name of Jonathan Hogg on the team sheet for the big match against Rapid Vienna in the cauldron of Austria's Gerhard Hanappi Stadium was a big shock to the travelling claret and blue army.

But that emotion was nothing compared to the inner pride Hogg felt after his torrid injury hell was exorcised courtesy of that surprise selection.

The midfield terrier had previously endured two separate shocking spells on the sidelines with a troublesome right knee problem.

He had to fly out to the USA on more than one occasion to see expert surgeon Dr Richard Steadman as he battled to overcome the frustrating career setback.

He spent 11 months out of the game after suffering the cruciate ligament heartbreak against Tottenham in a March 2008 reserve game.

He then impressed in the following pre-season before being injured again with the same knee issue, sustained this time in an accidental training ground collision with right-back Luke Young.

The Middlesbrough-born central star was then absent for a further five months before battling back to full fitness again.

The 90 minute masterclass in the Europa League play-off first leg was the light at the end of the tunnel for Hogg and he's now relishing the prospect of being involved this week as Villa look to finish the job.

He said: "My debut in Austria was the end of a long journey for me, when you look at the injuries I've been through.

"If you would have said to me two years ago I'd make my debut in Vienna, with the state my knee was in, I'd have said 'no chance'.

"But thankfully, it happened, it was a great place to go and I really enjoyed it.

"I did the injury first at Spurs away at Leyton Orient's ground. It was a bad injury - I did the lateral ligament and the lateral hamstring and damaged a bit of my cruciate.

"So I then went to see Richard Steadman out in the USA and he fixed me up. I was out for about a year with that problem. I got back playing in pre-season, played about six games during that campaign, did really well, went back to pre-season the following term after that and I did it again.

"I injured the same knee in a block tackle with Luke in training. So then we flew back out to the USA to get some injections in the side of my medial. Then we got back, I was out for about five months from then and I got back playing, thankfully.

"To make my debut now after all that was tremendous. The fans were unbelievable out in Austria. It was the biggest atmosphere I've ever played in.

"There were a few nerves at the start but as soon as the ball got kicked off you forget about that and put it aside.

"When you are on corners - on the post like I was - and you are getting water thrown over you and there is shouting and swearing and everything - you just have to put that behind you and play the game.

"I loved every minute of it and I am just grateful for the opportunity Kev gave me really.

"It was brilliant to have all the young lads involved too. Kev has given us all an opportunity and I hope he keeps giving the young boys an opportunity and we'll hopefully fill our boots when we do get it.

"It's definitely a boost to have Kev in charge. Kev gives us confidence. He just says go and play, do what you are good at. Stick to basics and do what you are good at as a team.

"Out in Austria, I thought we did a brilliant job and Kev even told us that to go there and get a draw was really good. Hopefully we'll go back to Villa Park and go through to the next round now.

"If I am involved at Villa Park, even just being in the squad, would be a pleasure so hopefully Kev gives me an opportunity."

The patience he learnt from his torrid spell on the sidelines will undoubtedly be vital as he looks to forge a career in claret and blue.

But Hogg also believes the six weeks on loan he spent with League Two strugglers Darlington last season aided his development.

He continued: "It definitely developed me when I was going to a team that was struggling.

"I scored on my debut so that gave me a boost going into more games. They were bottom of the league and Kev said to me go there, play games, get your fitness, get your sharpness, come back and you never know what is going to happen."

Too true. What happened was Hogg putting in a wonderful display against one of the best club sides in Europe.

He'll now be hoping for a return match this week.

As Villa look to evoke memories of the Ajax win of two seasons ago, Hogg is quick to praise the man who scored the opener on that night, Martin Laursen.

The Danish defender, who had himself suffered lengthy lay-offs, offered Hogg some words of wisdom about the road to recovery.

"He had a few words with me to tell me to keep working hard and to keep thinking positive," said Hogg.

"Because he'd had similar injuries he'd been through the same programmes and he knew what was hard and what was easy.

"He really helped me through it. It was really nice."

Cheer on the lads in the second leg on Thursday - click here for tickets.