Olivier Glasner has revealed the conversation that led to Ola Aina playing at centre-back for Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa.
The Nigerian defender helped Forest secure a 2-1 Premier League win at Villa Park on Saturday. However, his unfamiliar role came from a late defensive problem that forced Glasner to rethink his plans.
Aina had also played in Forest’s previous league game against Tottenham Hotspur. That match ended goalless. Against Villa, he moved into the left side of a back three.
Forest’s defensive options changed suddenly before the match. Glasner received scan results that ruled out two central defenders.
The situation left the Forest manager with limited options. He then approached Aina and Ousmane Diomande about starting in the back three.
“The circumstances we have yesterday, it was in the evening that I got the result of the scans and all of a sudden both center backs couldn’t play,” Glasner said via Forest TV on YouTube.
The manager did not simply assume that Aina could handle the change. He first wanted to know whether the Nigerian felt capable of playing the role.
“I knocked on Ola and Ousmane door and told them that they would start tomorrow in a back three,” he added.
Glasner’s question to Aina was straightforward. Could the versatile defender adapt to the demands of centre-back?
According to Glasner, Aina showed confidence when faced with the challenge.
“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’s why I am really proud of the performance and the win,” Glasner concluded.
Aina then backed up that confidence on the pitch.
The Nigerian recorded three tackles against Villa. He also made one interception and four clearances. In addition, he registered two recoveries during Forest’s 2-1 victory.
Those numbers underlined why Glasner was willing to trust Aina outside his more familiar defensive role.
The decision also highlighted the value of Aina’s versatility to Forest.
The Nigerian can operate across the defensive line. That flexibility became particularly useful after the injuries disrupted Glasner’s original plans.
Rather than allowing the defensive setback to dictate Forest’s approach, Glasner turned to a player he believed could adapt.
Aina responded with a composed performance. Forest also secured their first Premier League victory of the campaign under Glasner.
For the Forest manager, however, the bigger takeaway was Aina’s willingness to accept the challenge. His response gave Glasner the confidence to make an unexpected tactical decision before kick-off.
The Nigerian ultimately rewarded that trust with a solid display at the heart of Forest’s defence.
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