Nottingham Forest manager, Oliver Glasner, has praised Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, for his performance after being deployed in an unfamiliar centre-back role during the club’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.
Aina started as the left-sided centre-back in a back three as Forest secured their first league win of the season under Glasner.
The Nigerian was asked to fill the position after injuries ruled out the club’s two recognised central defenders shortly before the match.
Glasner revealed that he spoke to Aina and Ousmane Diomande after receiving confirmation of the injuries, asking the Nigerian whether he was confident he could adapt to the new role.
“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.
The former Crystal Palace manager added that he then informed both defenders that they would be starting in a back three, with Aina having to take on the unfamiliar position.
“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.
“There are many challenges we have to overcome today, that is why I am really proud of the performance and the win,” Glasner said.
Aina responded with a solid display at the heart of Forest’s defence, making three tackles, one interception, four clearances and two recoveries as his side held on for an important victory.
Forest will now look to build on the result as Glasner seeks to guide the team to improved form in the Premier League.
