Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo says his team has sorely missed the stability offered by Nigeria international Ola Aina as they prepare for their Premier League clash against Brentford. Aina has been sidelined for Forest’s last four matches across all competitions due to a calf injury sustained against Manchester United earlier this month.
“We have been missing Ola, especially because of the stability of the back four we had and the routines,” Nuno said at the pre-match press conference. “I don’t know how many times we had the same players – that’s crucial, especially in defence. We will assess him and see how fast he can return to the team,” he added.
Aina has returned to training and is edging closer to full fitness, with Nuno confirming that the defender will be assessed ahead of the fixture. “We still have one more day, assessing all the players, trying to make the decisions. All the players who have been out are important to us. We have spoken many times about that,” he said.
The former Chelsea Academy product has been one of the mainstays for the Reds in their surprise push for Champions League football next season. Sixth-placed Forest can move back into the Champions League qualification spots if they avoid defeat against Brentford in their game in hand at the City Ground.
“All the games are going to be very, very important for a lot of teams in this fight. We have one more, let’s try to perform well,” Nuno said. “We are back in the City Ground in front of our fans, it’s a big help. All the games are the biggest games of our career, this is how we approach it.”
Aina’s impressive performances have attracted interest from several top Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, while Manchester City view him as a potential replacement for Kyle Walker. Amid all the interest, Forest are keen to retain Aina and are currently in discussions over a new long-term deal.
As the team prepares for their crucial match against Brentford, Nuno’s comments highlight the importance of Aina’s stability and experience to the team’s defensive solidity. With Aina’s return to full fitness, Forest’s chances of securing a Champions League spot next season may be boosted.