Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has revealed how Super Eagles star Ola Aina was handed a surprise role at the last minute before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa, Footynaija.com reports.
Forest were forced into defensive changes after centre-backs Nikola Milenkovic and Jair Cunha were ruled out following late scan results on the eve of the game.
With the pair suddenly unavailable, Glasner turned to Aina and Ousmane Diomande and asked them to operate in a back three alongside Murillo.
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The Nigeria international responded with a solid performance at the heart of Forest’s defence, completing the full 90 minutes as Glasner’s side secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Villa Park.
Aina, who normally operates as a full-back, registered four clearances, three tackles, one interception and two recoveries while completing 41 accurate passes as Nottingham Forest kept Aston Villa’s attacking threat under control.
Speaking after the game, Glasner revealed just how late the decision to deploy Aina in the unfamiliar position was made.
“Yesterday we had the circumstances when we got the results of the scans at 9.30 in the evening and all of a sudden both centre-backs couldn’t play,” the Forest boss said.
“I knocked at Ola’s and Ousmane’s door and told them they will start in a back three.”
Despite the makeshift setup, Forest produced the kind of performance their manager was looking for, with Liam Delap putting them ahead shortly after half-time before Alysson Edward restored parity for Villa.
Igor Jesus then came off the bench to deliver the decisive blow in the 88th minute and secure Forest’s first Premier League win of the season. The victory was also their first at Villa Park since 1994.
“We had a lot of challenges to overcome, which is why I’m very proud of the performance and of the win,” Glasner added.
For Aina, the display provided another reminder of his versatility and value to Forest. Naturally a full-back, the Super Eagles star has featured prominently at right wing-back under Glasner so far this term.
