Ola Aina
NFO
Nigeria
Right
Oct 8, 1996
29
6'0"
181 lb
RB
RWB
Balanced Full Back
ForestKeeps 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.
Forced off injured
Aina was forced off in the 10th minute of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against South Africa due to an apparent hamstring injury, according to John Bennet of BBC.
Analysis: Aina has picked up a possible hamstring injury as Nigeria wrapped up their World Cup qualifiers, needing to be taken off the field just minutes into their match Tuesday. With Forest's next match less than a week away, if it's indeed a hamstring injury, Aina will likely be dropped Saturday at Arsenal, pointing to a possible start for new signing Nicolo Savona or 20-year-old Jair Cunha.
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