Ola Aina
NFONigeria
Right
Oct 8, 1996
29
6'0"
181 lb
RB
RWB
Balanced Full Back
ForestOut against Newcastle
Aina (undisclosed) is ruled out for Sunday's clash against Newcastle United.
Analysis: Aina has been unable to recover in time for the weekend, confirming the low chances of making the team that had surrounded him as one of numerous Nottingham players currently on the injured list with an undisclosed injury. His absence is a further blow for a side already severely stretched for options, with Neco Williams and Luca Netz set to form the full-back pairing in his place as the coaching staff continue to manage a lengthy list of absentees. His struggles with injuries throughout the season have been a recurring frustration, and his return timeline will be monitored closely in the coming days as the campaign enters its final stages.
Late call to face Magpies
Aina (undisclosed) is doubtful for Sunday's match against Newcastle, according to manager Vitor Pereira, per Sarah Clapson of the Nottingham Post.
Analysis: Aina is one of the numerous Nottingham players to be on the injured list this week, as he is still unable to return from an undisclosed injury. His chances of making the team appear to be low, a rough development for the full-back who has struggled with injuries throughout the season. Even if he is fit, a bench spot is likely the best he will do, with Neco Williams and Luca Netz as a possible full-back pairing due to Aina's absence.
Missing Thursday
Aina (undisclosed) is out for Thursday's match against Aston Villa.
Analysis: Aina is not with his team after he was handed the doubtful tag, a big miss for the team as they head into the second leg of their semifinal contest. This leaves Jair Cunha and Neco Williams to start at full-back for the club. He will now aim for a return Sunday when facing Newcastle.
In doubt for Thursday
Aina (undisclosed) appears to be doubtful for Thursday's match against Nottingham Forest, according to manager Vitor Pereira, per Sarah Clapson of The Nottingham Post. "Not because I have doubts about Morgan, but because I have doubts about the injured players, I will delay my decisions. But in my mind, I have plans A, B and C. We have a lot of (injury) doubts. bout the (injured) players, I have a lot of doubts. I think today we will have a meeting and decide to look for the army and to understand the soldiers! To go into the battle, I prefer to go with the healthy soldiers. We'll see."
Analysis: Aina is one of the numerous players for Nottingham that remains in doubt to face Villa, as the defender deals with an undisclosed injury. This is a major storyline to watch for the club, as they could be without their starting right-back, likely leaving Luca Netz and Neco Williams to start at full-back if he misses out. Aina will likely be subjected to some testing to see if he can play, but if any pain or weakness is felt, it is very likely that he will be left out.
Ruled out Monday
Aina (undisclosed) is ruled out for Monday's clash against Chelsea.
Analysis: Aina has been unable to pass the late fitness test that had been set to determine his availability after going down with a knock in Thursday's UEL match, leaving the coaching staff without their starting right-back at an already difficult time for the defense. His absence is a notable concern for a side already dealing with multiple defensive injuries and limited replacement options, with Zach Abbott and Luca Netz now required to cover the full-back roles in what shapes up to be a significantly stretched backline. His situation will be monitored closely in the coming days as the club hopes the knock proves to be nothing more than a short-term setback.
Hopeful to play Monday
Aina (undisclosed) is questionable for Monday's match against Chelsea, according to manager Vitor Pereira, per Sarah Clapson of the Nottingham Post. "Ola, I'm sorry, but in this moment it's impossible to be injured. I told him, at the end of the season, you can be injured, you can go do what you want, but now it is impossible because we don't have (options). He said to me: 'I promise you, I will be in condition (to play).' I hope!"
Analysis: Aina went down with a knock in Thursday's UEL match and is now trying to make a quick turnaround as Nottingham visit Stamford Bridge on Monday. This is a concern for the club as they deal with multiple injuries in the defense, not having many more options as replacements if their starting right-back misses out. He will likely be subjected to a late fitness test, proably starting if fit but leaving the starting full-back roles to Neco Williams and Luka Netz if he misses out.
Forced off against Aston Villa
Aina left the field because of an apparent injury during Thursday's UEFA Europa League semi-final matchup versus Aston Villa.
Analysis: Aina struggled with some pain and was ultimately replaced by Zach Abbott after 75 minutes of play Thursday. The regular starter is now questionable for future matches as it remains to be seen if the problem is significant. He had been active over his previous six league or UEL appearances, posting eight crosses, 17 clearances and 13 tackles across 449 minutes on the field.
Keeps clean sheet Sunday
Aina had one shot (zero on goal) in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Fulham.
Analysis: Aina kept his fourth clean sheet of the season Sunday, all of which have come in his last nine matches. He and his fellow defenders held Fulham to just one shot on target, and Aina was a massive part of that. He set season-highs in clearances (10) and tackles won (four), and also intercepted one pass and blocked one shot in his full 90 minutes of action.
Starting against Aston Villa
Aina (hamstring) is getting the nod in Saturday's match versus Aston Villa.
Analysis: Aina is drawing the goal right away despite missing extended time because of a serious hamstring injury. Nicolo Savona drops to the bench. Aina tallied 13 crosses (one accurate), six tackles (three won) and 11 clearances in his three starts early in the season.
Option for group
Aina (hamstring) is an option for Saturday's match against Aston Vila, according to manager Sean Dyche, per Jak Netting of Vavel. "Ola comes back into the group now which is good."
Analysis: Aina was back playing with the B team last week and is now ready to join the main group, with the defender cleared for Saturday. This comes after almost four months out, a rough absence for the defender as he left the club without a right-back. He will likely work back into that role once testing his legs, staring in the first three games of the season before his injury.
Progressing well in return
Aina played with the B team Monday in his recovery from a long-term hamstring injury. According to manager Sean Dyche, Aina is "fine and injury-free" and it's another "step forward."
Analysis: Aina has been ramping up his work the last couple weeks and a start with the B squad is a positive sign heading into the holidays. While he probably won't be ready for the senior team the next couple matches, it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in full training with the senior team with a bench appearance in the near future. His return would likely hurt playing time for both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nicolo Savona.
Plays with academy
Aina got the start with Nottingham Forest Academy during Monday's clash.
Analysis: Aina got some match action during Monday's clash starting for the academy team. He's progressing in his recovery from a hamstring injury but is still rebuilding his fitness. It's more likely than not his return will come in the new year, perhaps as soon as a Jan. 3 clash with Aston Villa.
Progressing in recovery
Aina (hamstring) is progressing in his recovery but won't be ready to face Fulham on Monday, manager Sean Dyche told media during Thursday's pre-match press conference. "Ola is halfway through his progress in fitness. He is training more regularly with the team now, which is good, but it has been a long-term injury so we have had to be careful with that one. He is still a bit of a way off with his true fitness. He has been out a long time and it takes even longer to get to that deep fitness, but he is making good steps forward."
Analysis: Aina has missed most of the season while working his way back from a hamstring injury, but based on Dyche's words, his return could come sooner rather than later. Aina wasn't selected to represent Nigeria in the 2025 AFCON, so he'll return once he's fit enough to see minutes. Nicolo Savona should remain in the XI until Aina is ready to return.
Not ready to return yet
Aina (hamstring) "is still a bit of time" away from being an option for boss Sean Dyche, per Katie Stafford of BBC Sport.
Analysis: Aina has missed most of the season since he was injured in September, and it looks unlikely he'll appear in 2025. The full-back, who was a regular participant over the previous campaign, recorded just 270 minutes of play in the early stages of the 2025/26 period. Nicolo Savona will aim to retain the starting spot while Aina works on his recovery.
Not yet on grass
Aina (hamstring) isn't back on grass yet, per manager Sean Dyche."[Ola] Aina isn't back on the grass and [Dilane] Bakwa is still out."
Analysis: Aina is still not on grass and remains some ways away from a return. The defender has been sidelined since August and remains out for the foreseeable future. It's not clear when Aina will be back, but the original timeline for this injury was expected to be around three months, which would put a return sometime in December.
Making progress but not ready
Aina (hamstring) is making progress on the grass with the medical staff but is not ready to play yet, manager Sean Dyche told media during Thursday's press conference. "Ola Aina is very similar. He is on the grass but not with us, he is with the medical staff and sport science staff."
Analysis: Aina suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Nigeria in September, and he continues to work his way back slowly but surely. He's expected to enter the final stage of his recovery process in the near future, as he was spotted on the training pitch in late October.
On training field
Aina (hamstring) was viewed on the training pitch Wednesday, according to his club.
Analysis: Aina is still recovering from his hamstring injury but was able to make his way out to the training pitch Wednesday, appearing to be getting some light workouts in. However, the defender is still far from a return, probably needing at least another two months to recover. It is positive he is at least out there and already moving around, possibly shortening some of that timeline.
Completes surgery
Aina (hamstring) has undergone surgery and will now begin his recovery, according to manager Ange Postecoglou, per BBC. "His surgery went really well - that's the first thing ticked. Now he's got to work hard and rehab, which I'm sure he will, and he'll stay close to the group."
Analysis: Aina received surgery on his hamstring after suffering an injury while on international duty, with the surgery going well and the defender now set to begin his road to a return. He is set to miss around three months, likely leaving him out until close to the new year. He will look for a quick return to the field, as he is their starting right-back when fit.
Set to miss three months
Aina (hamstring) is set to be ruled out for at least three months due to the injury he suffered on international duty with Nigeria, according to John Percy of The Telegraph.
Analysis: Aina will be sidelined until the end of the year due to the hamstring injury he suffered with Nigeria while on international duty. The scans he underwent Thursday afternoon likely revealed a significant issue which will create a major case to deal with for new coach Ange Postecoglou. Aina is an undisputed starter in the backline for Forest and this is a major setback since Nicolo Savona or Jair Cunha will be the options to replace him and neither has Premier League experience yet.
Doubtful against Arsenal
Aina (hamstring) is a doubt for Saturday's clash against Arsenal, new coach Ange Postecoglou said in the press conference, according to the Nottingham Post. "I think we've got a clean bill of health, apart from Aina. We will get some information on him this afternoon after some scans."
Analysis: Aina still has to undergo scans Thursday afternoon to know the extend of the hamstring injury he suffered while on international duty with Nigeria. The defender is a doubt for Saturday's clash against the Gunners and his potential absence would be a big blow for Forest since he is an undisputed starter in the backline. If he has to miss the game, Nicolo Savona or Jair Cunha could be the likely replacements in defense for that game.
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