“Ola Aina’s injury is a blow to Nottingham Forest” – Nuno Espírito Santo

Photo Credit: Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo has admitted that losing defender Ola Aina to injury is a blow to the club at this crucial moment of the season.

The Nigeria international has been a key cog in Forest’s machinery this term, contributing two goals and an assist but has been sidelined for a number of weeks with calf discomfort.

The 28-year-old, who has played all of the club's league matches this season, picked up the knock in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Tuesday.

Espirito Santo said on BBC: "It is a problem with the calf. He [Aina] did the scan already, he's going to be out for a while. He will be unavailable [for the match against Aston Villa].

Aina was part of the Super Eagles squad that managed to collect four points from two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe last month.

Nottingham Forest are enjoying a superb Premier League campaign in third place with 57 points from 30 games, just four adrift of second-placed Arsenal. They will travel to face a stubborn Aston Villa side on Saturday, April 5.