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Nothenham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has praised Super Eagles defender Ola Aina after he successfully adapted to an unfamiliar centre-back role in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Aina started as the left-sided centre-back in a back three after Forest suffered a late defensive setback, with both of the club’s recognised central defenders ruled out following scan results on the eve of the match.
“The circumstances we have yesterday, it was in the evening that I got the result of the scans and all of a sudden both centre-backs couldn’t play,” Glasner told Forest TV.
With limited options, the Forest manager approached Aina and Ousmane Diomande and informed them that they would have to start in the back three.
Glasner said he particularly needed to establish whether Aina was confident enough to handle the unfamiliar position before making the tactical switch.
“I knocked on Ola and Ousmane’s door and told them that they would start tomorrow in a back three. Especially with Ola, I had to ask him if he can imagine that this could work, and he said I can, and I knew he can.”
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Aina responded with a composed defensive display as Forest secured their first Premier League victory of the season under Glasner. The Nigerian recorded three tackles, one interception, four clearances and two recoveries during the match.
“There are many challenges we have to overcome today, that is why I am really proud of the performance and the win,” Glasner said.
The victory gave Forest their first league win of the campaign and provided an important boost for Glasner as he continues to shape the team.
For Aina, the performance also underlined his defensive versatility, having been trusted to operate in a position he does not normally occupy despite the late change to Forest’s defensive plans.
Forest will now look to build on the Villa victory as Glasner seeks to maintain the momentum from the club’s first Premier League win of the season.
