Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has revealed how Ola Aina responded when he was asked to step into an unfamiliar centre-back role during Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Aina was deployed as the left-sided centre-back in a back three as Forest secured their first Premier League victory of the campaign under Glasner.
The tactical switch came after the manager received confirmation that two of his recognised central defenders had been ruled out with injuries on the eve of the game.
“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 then spoke to Aina and Ousmane Diomande, informing them that they would be required to operate in the back three against Villa.
Glasner admitted he had to seek reassurance from Aina before deciding to use the Nigeria international in the unfamiliar position.
“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 justified his manager’s confidence with a solid performance at the back, making three tackles, one interception, four clearances and two recoveries during the encounter.
The result gives Forest an important boost as they look to build momentum and improve their fortunes under Glasner, with Aina’s versatility providing the manager with another option in defence.