After spending three months on the sidelines through injury, Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has returned to the starting line-up for the Tricky Trees, insisting that his priority for the remainder of the season is helping the team achieve its objectives rather than pursuing personal milestones.
Aina resumed first-team training with Forest in December 2025 and made his long-awaited return to competitive action in the Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, January 3. The Nigerian international had been sidelined since September 2025 after sustaining an injury while on international duty with the Super Eagles.
Since regaining full fitness, the 29-year-old has featured in three matches, taking his total league appearances this season to six. With Nottingham Forest battling near the bottom of the table, Aina says individual targets are no longer his main concern.
“Obviously, things changed. Some personal goals have changed and whatnot, but I think right now it’s more about the team,” Aina told SuperSport. “I don’t think personal comes into it anymore right now. It’s more about what I can do to help the team and what we can do together.”
After 22 Premier League matches, Forest have accumulated 22 points and sit just one place above the relegation zone. The club has struggled for consistency this season, putting pressure on head coach Sean Dyche, who took over in October 2025 following the departure of Ange Postecoglou.
The current campaign marks a sharp contrast to last season, when Forest finished an impressive seventh, with Aina playing a key role by contributing two goals and one assist in 35 appearances. Despite the setback caused by injury, the defender remains determined to play his part in steering the club to safety.
Aina joined Nottingham Forest from Italian side Torino in 2023 and is contracted to the City Ground until the summer of 2028, having signed an extension last year.
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