In the high-stakes theater of Premier League survival, Nottingham Forest may have found their most vital protagonist. Former Spurs midfielder and respected pundit Andy Reid has hailed the return of Ola Aina, labeling the Nigerian international as the “big plus” driving the club’s recent resurgence under Sean Dyche.
The narrative of Forest’s season can largely be divided into two chapters: with and without Aina. After establishing himself as one of the division’s elite full-backs last term—attracting even the wandering eyes of Manchester City—Aina’s momentum was halted by a grueling hamstring injury sustained on international duty in September.
His four-month stint on the sidelines coincided with a dismal slump in form for the Tricky Trees. However, since reclaiming his spot in January, the defensive architecture at the City Ground has looked significantly more robust. The statistics tell a story of newfound resilience: Forest have conceded defeat just twice in their last five outings, a marked improvement that correlates directly with the Super Eagles defender’s return to the starting XI.
Reid pointed to Aina’s unique blend of tactical discipline and offensive flair as the secret sauce in Dyche’s tactical setup. During a gritty 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace—where Forest were forced to dig in with ten men—Aina’s composure was the bedrock of a crucial away point.
“He was a big miss when he was out,” Reid noted, emphasizing that Aina’s impact transcends mere defending. “What he does, not just defensively but what he does going forward as well… you couple that with the personality that he brings.”
Currently perched precariously in 17th place, Nottingham Forest find themselves in the thick of a relentless relegation dogfight. For Sean Dyche, having a player of Aina’s caliber—combining blistering pace with a veteran’s positional awareness—is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
As the campaign enters its frantic final stretch, the “Aina Factor” may well be the difference between another year in the top flight and a slide into the Championship. With the defender now back at full tilt, Forest fans have a reason to believe that the path to safety is finally back on track.
