Ola Aina Doubtful For Forest’s Decisive Europa League Clash With Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest head coach Vítor Pereira has admitted that defender Ola Aina remains a major doubt ahead of the club’s UEFA Europa League semi-final second-leg encounter against Aston Villa.

Aina sustained an injury during the first leg at the City Ground, where Forest secured a slender 1-0 advantage courtesy of a composed penalty from Chris Wood. The Nigerian international was subsequently absent from Forest’s impressive 3-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, raising further concerns over his fitness.

Speaking ahead of the decisive fixture at Villa Park, Pereira acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding several members of his squad, with Aina’s availability still unresolved.

“We have a lot of doubts with players, but we cannot have doubts around the spirit, what we want, and our belief,” Pereira told the club’s official website. “We will assess the situation and decide which players are ready to go into battle.”

Aina has been a key figure for Forest throughout their European campaign, offering defensive solidity and attacking support from the flanks. His potential absence would be a significant setback for the Tricky Trees as they aim to reach their first major European final in decades.

Despite the injury concerns, Forest travel to Birmingham with a narrow advantage and growing confidence following their recent domestic form. However, they are expected to face a stern test against an Aston Villa side known for its resilience at home.

With a place in the final at stake, the encounter promises high drama, and Forest’s hopes may hinge on late fitness assessments as Pereira seeks to assemble his strongest possible lineup for what could be a historic night.