I’m really proud of Aina –Glasner - Punch Newspapers
Nottingham Forest manager, Oliver Glasner, has revealed the question he asked Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, before deploying him as a centre-back in the club’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Aina featured as the left-sided centre-back in a back three, in a victory that marked Forest’s first Premier League win of the campaign under their new manager. Speaking after the game, Glasner explained that the decision to play Aina in the unfamiliar position was made after he received confirmation of injuries to both of the club’s recognised central defenders on the eve of the match.
“The circumstances we have yesterday, it was in the evening that I got the result of the scans and all of a sudden both centre-backs couldn’t play,” Glasner told Forest TV.
The former Crystal Palace manager said he subsequently approached Aina and defender Ousmane Diomande to inform them of the change, asking Aina directly whether he believed he could adapt to the role.
“I knocked on Ola and Ousmane’s door and told them that they would start tomorrow in a back three. Especially with Ola, I had to ask him if he can imagine that this could work, and he said I can, and I knew he can.
“There are many challenges we have to overcome today, that is why I am really proud of the performance and the win,” Glasner said.
Aina delivered an impressive display in his unfamiliar role, recording three tackles, one interception, four clearances and two recoveries during the match. Forest will now be keen to build on the momentum from their first Premier League win of the season and maintain their improved form under Glasner.
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