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Ola Aina has been recognised for his standout performance in Nottingham Forest’s dramatic quarter-final victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Emirates FA Cup, Footynaija.com reports.
The Nigerian fullback was named in WhoScored’s Team of the Round after an impressive display at the Amex Stadium.
It was Aina’s first game back for Forest following international duty with Nigeria, and he played a crucial role in a tense encounter that ended in a 4-3 penalty shootout win after 120 minutes without a goal. The victory secured Forest’s first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 34 years.
WhoScored’s best XI of the round was dominated by Aston Villa, who had four players included, while Crystal Palace contributed three. Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga was selected in goal, with Aina lining up in a back four alongside Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), and Pervis Estupiñán (Brighton).
Ola Aina completed more successful dribbles than any other player in the #EmiratesFACup quarter-finals (5).
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 31, 2025
All-action full-back. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/wSqr8mdmG0
The midfield featured Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey, alongside former Super Eagles invitee Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace). Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, who earned Player of the Round honours with a rating of 8.99, led the attack with Rogers and Ramsey.
Aina’s performance against Brighton caught the eye as he provided an attacking threat while maintaining defensive solidity. The Super Eagles fullback completed five successful dribbles and contributed five clearances and two tackles, earning a WhoScored rating of 7.56.
Ola Aina against Brighton:
— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) March 29, 2025
120 minutes played
1 big chances created
5/7 successful dribbles (most in the game)
8/14 ground duels won
Kept Mitoma quiet all game! pic.twitter.com/wsKh5jQwII
Fellow Nigerian stars Taiwo Awoniyi, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey also featured in the FA Cup quarter-finals but did not make the Team of the Round.
Aina and Awoniyi will now turn their focus to a high-stakes semi-final clash against Manchester City at Wembley.
Forest will take confidence from their 1-0 league victory over Pep Guardiola’s side earlier this month but will be wary, having suffered a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will battle for a place in the final, with Palace seeking their first FA Cup final since 2016, while Unai Emery’s Villa aim to return to the showpiece event for the first time in a decade.
FA Cup semi-final draw:
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
