Exclusive: Ola Aina Targets Top-Half Finish As Forest Adjust To Glasner
Nottingham Forest sit 16th in the Premier League after three matches of the 2026-27 season, with an opening defeat to Leeds United followed by draws against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Leeds also eliminated Forest from the Carabao Cup.
The slow start has come during another period of change at the City Ground, where Oliver Glasner is the club’s fifth head coach in 12 months. Ola Aina, who has started all three league fixtures, spoke to R.org about settling under the Austrian, the departure of Taiwo Awoniyi and his goals for the season.
“It’s always good to start a new campaign, but obviously today we fell short — it was too difficult,” Aina told Ratings.
“It’s been good. Everything is new, not perfect, but we’re still working on making these things better. Hopefully in the games to come, it gets better.”
Glasner was appointed July 6 after leaving Crystal Palace, where he won the FA Cup, the UEFA Conference League and the Community Shield in two and a half seasons. He inherited a squad that worked under Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira during 2025-26.
Back In The Starting Lineup After Injury
Aina, 29, is under contract with Forest until June 2028. The former Chelsea and Fulham defender missed a large part of last season after a serious hamstring injury in September 2025 kept him out until January 2026, limiting him to 18 Premier League appearances.
He has been ever-present in the league this season, offering both defensive cover and overlapping runs down the right in Glasner’s setup. Supporters at the City Ground gave him standing ovations when he was substituted in the second half against Leeds and Tottenham.
“The fans are always amazing,” he continued.
“They help us a lot and we try to repay them with our performances and everything. They’ve always supported me and I appreciate it.”
Forest Not Planning For A Survival Fight
Forest finished seventh in 2024-25, qualifying for European competition for the first time in 29 years, before dropping to 16th last season. The early results in 2026-27 have raised questions about another season near the bottom of the table, but Aina set a different target.
“Hopefully we don’t fight for survival,” he continued.
“Hopefully we’re safe and we’re doing well in the league. I just want to play good football, do good things, and hopefully we can have a good season.”
Awoniyi’s Exit Leaves Aina As Forest’s Only Nigerian
Aina is now the only Nigerian in the Forest squad after Awoniyi joined newly promoted Coventry City in the summer. The striker scored 23 goals in 103 appearances across four seasons at the club and had been a popular figure since returning from injury in 2025.
“Yeah, I’m alone now,” he said. “I just want to keep playing and enjoying my football. That’s the main thing for me.
“I’m also happy for Taiwo [Awoniyi]. He’s gone somewhere where he’s going to play more games.”
Aina also had a Nigeria teammate to congratulate on the opening weekend. Semi Ajayi scored the first goal as promoted Hull City beat Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium, and Aina said he contacted the defender the same day.
“I messaged him personally that day and it was a personal note I sent to him,” he said. “I was so happy for him. It’s between us and I hope we can have a good season.”