Aina Out Injured as Forest Chase Historic European Final Without Him

Nottingham Forest are one leg away from their first European final in 44 years. Ola Aina won’t be there to help them over the line.

The Super Eagles right-back is out of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Villa Park after picking up a muscle injury during the first leg at City Ground, where he was substituted off in the 75th minute. He missed Forest’s final training session. He’s not in the matchday squad.

Forest lead 1-0 on aggregate — Chris Wood’s penalty separates the sides. It’s a tight margin to defend away from home. Aina had been one of their most consistent performers all season. Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare, and Dan Ndoye are also absent. Murillo did return to training, which is something.

Vitor Pereira needs to hold the line at Villa Park without some of his key men. The prize — a European final — is enormous for this club. The challenge without Aina just got bigger.