Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has successfully rejoined the starting XI after a grueling three-month recovery period. The Nigerian international sustained an injury while representing his country in September 2025, but he returned to first-team training in December before making his competitive comeback against Aston Villa on January 3. Since regaining his fitness, Aina has featured in three consecutive matches, bringing his total Premier League appearances for the current campaign to six.
The 29-year-old recently expressed a shift in mindset, noting that his individual targets now sit secondary to the club’s survival efforts. Nottingham Forest currently occupies a precarious position just one spot above the relegation zone, having secured only 22 points from 22 fixtures. This season represents a significant decline in form for the Tricky Trees, who finished in an impressive seventh place last year with Aina contributing two goals and an assist across 35 games.
Current head coach Sean Dyche, who took over from Ange Postecoglou in October 2025, faces immense pressure to stabilize the squad and maintain their top-flight status. Aina, who extended his contract at the City Ground until 2028 last year, remains a vital component of the defensive unit. The former Torino man emphasized during a recent interview that collective results must dictate the final months of the season as Forest battles to avoid the drop.
Aina shared his perspective with SuperSport: “Obviously, things changed. Some personal goals have changed and whatnot, but I think right now it’s more about the team. I don’t think personal comes into it anymore right now. I think it’s more about the team and what I can do to help the team, what others can do to help the team and ultimately what we can do together. So, I think that’s what’s important right now, and the personal goals could take a back burner for now.”
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