Johnson, 23, scored twice in the victories against Bulgaria and Switzerland in back-to-back Euro 2012 qualifiers last month after stepping off the bench.
He was then reminded by City manager Roberto Mancini that he needed to work even harder now he was an international.
The upshot was that the £7million buy from Middlesbrough in January, found himself on Carling Cup duty among the fringe players, which resulted in a defeat by West Brom. And he was back on the bench on Saturday playing only the last 13 minutes of the 1-0 victory against Chelsea.
However Johnson was restored to the side on Thursday night and scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Juventus at Eastlands in the Europa League.
Asked if that goal would kick-start his campaign, he said: "I have been playing well since the start of the season with England then against Liverpool and Blackburn. I just want to stay in the team.
"I have learned a lot about the game since I signed and I will carry on doing that.
"It was good to get a goal at the stadium. It has been a while coming. Hopefully it will be the start of many more. It was brilliant to score against Juventus."
Source: PA
Source: PA