Ola Aina Admits to On-Field Confusion as Nottingham Forest Secure Europa League Semi-Final Spot

Posted : 18 April 2026

Nottingham Forest have qualified for the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League following a narrow 1-0 victory over FC Porto at the City Ground on Thursday night. Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute with a deflected strike that beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa. This victory secured a 2-1 aggregate win, marking the first time the club has reached a major European semi-final since 1984.

Super Eagles right-back Ola Aina played the full duration of the match and was instrumental in holding off late pressure from the Portuguese side. Despite the positive result, Aina admitted that the team lacked cohesion during the second half. He explained that a "bit of confusion" arose among the players following a red card for Jan Bednarek, as some teammates wanted to sit back and defend while others pushed for a second goal.

The Nigerian international highlighted the team's resilience during what has been a historically turbulent season for the Reds. Nottingham Forest became the first Premier League team to employ four different permanent managers in a single campaign: Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and current boss Vítor Pereira. Aina praised the squad for maintaining their focus and quality despite the constant changes in the dugout.

The 29-year-old defender also touched upon his personal journey this season, having successfully returned from a three-month hamstring injury layoff. Since his comeback, he has been a mainstay in Pereira’s defensive unit, appearing in seven Europa League fixtures. He credited the vocal support of the City Ground faithful for helping the team navigate the difficult final minutes against a resilient ten-man Porto side.

Attention now shifts to the Premier League as Forest face a vital clash against Burnley this Sunday. While the club celebrates its European success, they remain embroiled in a domestic fight for top-flight security. Aina emphasized that every remaining league game is a "must-win" fixture for the squad as they look to balance their continental ambitions with survival.

Forest will face fellow English side Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-finals later this month. Aina acknowledged that Unai Emery’s side will provide a stern test but expressed confidence in his teammates' ability to rise to the occasion. The first leg of the semi-final is scheduled to take place at the City Ground on April 30, with the return leg at Villa Park a week later.

Ola Aina Admits to On-Field Confusion as Nottingham Forest Secure Europa League Semi-Final Spot

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