Nottingham Forest’s left‑back Ola Aina remains doubtful for the club’s upcoming Premier League clash with Aston Villa, head coach Vítor Pereira confirmed on Wednesday, according to the club’s official website and DAILY POST.
Aina was forced to leave the field on a stretcher during the first leg of Forest’s UEFA Champions League semi‑final against Manchester City last week. The injury, which occurred in the 54th minute, sidelined the 26‑year‑old Nigeria international for the remainder of the tie. Pereira expressed optimism after the match that the full‑back would recover in time for the reverse fixture, but he stopped short of guaranteeing his availability for Thursday’s league encounter.
During a press conference, the Portuguese manager said, “We have a lot of doubts with players but we cannot have doubts around the spirit and what we want and our belief.” He added that the medical team is monitoring Aina’s condition closely and that a final decision will be made after further assessment.
Forest enter the game with a 1‑0 advantage from the first leg, a lead they will be keen to defend. The team’s defensive stability has been a focal point this season, and Aina’s experience on the left flank has been valuable. His absence could force Pereira to adjust his back‑line, potentially promoting academy graduate Will Hoskins or reshuffling the midfield‑defence pairing to cover the left side.
Aina’s injury comes at a crucial stage for both clubs. Aston Villa, currently positioned in the top half of the table, will look to close the gap on the leaders, while Forest aim to consolidate their recent surge under Pereira, who took charge in June 2024. The next two weeks also see Forest preparing for a demanding schedule that includes domestic cup commitments and a potential run in Europe, making squad depth a key factor.
The club will issue an update on Aina’s status before kickoff on Thursday. If the player is unable to feature, Forest will rely on their broader defensive options to maintain the lead and secure three points against Villa. The outcome of the match will have implications for the teams’ mid‑season objectives and could influence their strategies in the weeks ahead.
