Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was criticised by former Manchester City coach Stuart Pearce and Champions League winner Owen Hargreaves following Nottingham Forest's 2-0 defeat to Brentford on Thursday night in the Premier League. Aina’s costly error was directly linked to Brentford’s opening goal, which came just before half-time at the City Ground.
Returning from a month-long injury layoff, Aina featured for 75 minutes in a reshuffled Forest side. However, his moment of hesitation and a slip while tracking back allowed Germany international Kevin Schade to collect Nathan Collins’ long ball and finish calmly beneath goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Pearce, speaking on Premier League Productions, described the moment as a classic fullback dilemma. "It’s a fullback's nightmare when inverted wingers dart inside. Aina switched off and looked too relaxed," he explained. Hargreaves echoed the sentiment, adding that the mistake was unfortunate for a player who had otherwise had a strong season.
Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo made four changes to the starting lineup following the team's FA Cup semi-final exit. The latest defeat adds pressure to Forest’s campaign as they battle to secure their Premier League status, with their defensive vulnerabilities now under sharper scrutiny.
Editorial
Every footballer knows the fine margins that separate praise from blame and Ola Aina, unfortunately, finds himself on the wrong side of that line this week. It’s easy to forget that this was his first match back after a calf injury. Still, Premier League football has little room for rustiness, and mistakes even momentary ones can be ruthlessly punished.
Aina’s slip and hesitation were costly, but they also serve as a reminder of the immense pressure fullbacks face in today’s game. Modern defenders must track runners, play high lines, anticipate diagonal balls, and cover wide areas often with little margin for error. When that split-second decision goes wrong, the fallout is immediate and harsh.
Criticism from respected figures like Stuart Pearce and Owen Hargreaves is part of the job, but it should also be viewed in context. Aina has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most dependable performers when fit, and one mistake should not overshadow a season of disciplined performances and tactical intelligence.
For Forest, this incident must become a teaching moment. As they edge toward the business end of the season, focus and communication at the back are non-negotiable. And for Aina, the best way to respond is simple: step back onto the pitch next matchday and prove that one moment doesn’t define his campaign.
Did You Know?
- Ola Aina was part of Chelsea’s academy for over a decade and won multiple youth titles, including the UEFA Youth League.
- He has represented both England and Nigeria at youth levels but committed to the Super Eagles in 2017.
- Aina spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Fulham, where he scored a stunning goal that won Premier League Goal of the Month in November 2020.
- Kevin Schade, who scored Brentford’s opener, was Germany’s youngest Bundesliga scorer in the 2021/22 season while at SC Freiburg.
- Nottingham Forest last played in European competition in 1995, but they remain one of only a few English clubs to have won the UEFA Champions League (formerly the European Cup) more than once.
