The importance of a single player to a team’s defensive structure was laid bare on Saturday as Nottingham Forest slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park. Former Manchester United and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves didn’t mince words when analyzing the result, pinpointing the absence of Super Eagles defender Ola Aina as a critical factor in Forest’s disappointing performance.
The Nigerian international, who has become an integral part of Nuno Espírito Santo’s backline this season, was sidelined with an injury, leaving a noticeable void in Forest’s defensive organization. Hargreaves, speaking to Premier League Productions, emphasized how Aina’s presence might have changed the complexion of the game. Nuno mentioned that Ola Aina didn’t play, and they didn’t have their two strikers either,” Hargreaves noted. They had to try and find something else, but again, you cannot start poorly in these matches, and you certainly can’t afford to concede early goals.
The Defensive Anchor Forest Missed
Since joining Forest last summer, Aina has quietly established himself as one of the team’s most reliable defenders. His versatility—capable of playing as a right-back, left-back, or even in a back three—has given Nuno valuable tactical flexibility. More importantly, his composure in possession and ability to read the game have helped stabilize a Forest defense that has often looked vulnerable this season.
Against Villa, Forest’s backline appeared disjointed from the outset. The hosts took full advantage, with Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey constantly exploiting the spaces left by Forest’s makeshift defensive setup. The opening goal, scored by John McGinn in the 23rd minute, came from a defensive lapse that might have been avoided had Aina been available to marshal the backline.
Hargreaves’ analysis highlighted this perfectly: “Aina brings that sense of stability. He’s not the flashiest player, but he does the simple things well—positioning, tracking runners, and making those crucial interceptions. Without him, Forest looked like they were missing that calming influence.”
A Double Blow for Forest
Aina’s absence wasn’t the only issue plaguing Forest. The team was also without their two first-choice strikers, Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood, forcing Nuno to improvise with a less familiar attacking setup. The lack of a focal point in attack meant Forest struggled to hold up play or sustain pressure, allowing Villa to dominate possession and dictate the tempo.
Morgan Gibbs-White did his best to create chances, but without a proper striker to feed, Forest’s attacking moves often fizzled out before they could trouble Emiliano Martínez in Villa’s goal. When Nicolás Domínguez finally pulled one back for Forest in the second half, it was too little, too late.
What This Means for Forest’s Survival Battle
With just a handful of games remaining in the season, every point is precious for Forest as they fight to avoid relegation. Aina’s injury comes at a particularly inopportune time, with crucial fixtures against fellow strugglers looming. His potential return for the next match could be the boost Forest need to shore up their defense and grind out results.
Hargreaves’ comments underscore a broader truth about Forest’s season: their squad depth simply isn’t robust enough to cope with key absences. While players like Murillo and Moussa Niakhaté have shown promise, the drop-off in quality when Aina or Awoniyi are missing is stark. If Forest are to secure their Premier League status for another season, keeping their key players fit will be paramount.
Aina’s Growing Importance
Before his injury, Aina had been one of Forest’s standout performers in recent weeks. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with reports suggesting that several mid-table Premier League clubs are monitoring his situation. For Nigeria, he remains a crucial figure as well, with his experience and versatility making him a key asset for the Super Eagles in upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Nuno will be desperate to have him back sooner rather than later. As Hargreaves pointed out, players like Aina may not always grab headlines, but their contributions are invaluable—especially for teams fighting at the wrong end of the table.
Forest’s next match is a must-win encounter against another relegation-threatened side, and Nuno will be hoping Aina recovers in time. If there’s one positive to take from the Villa defeat, it’s that the margin for error is now crystal clear: Forest cannot afford to be without their key players in these decisive fixtures.
For now, the focus will be on rehabilitation and preparation. But if Forest do manage to stay up, the role of unsung heroes like Ola Aina will deserve just as much recognition as any last-minute winner or spectacular save. Sometimes, it’s the players you miss the most who remind you just how important they really are.
