- Ola Aina scored his second Premier League goal of the season as Nottingham Forest defeated Brentford 2-0, securing their third straight win
- Brentford suffered their first home defeat of the season, while Aina expressed joy at his goal and praised the team’s unity
- With two goals in 17 matches, Aina has emerged as a key player for Nottingham Forest this season
Nigerian full-back Ola Aina shone once again as his early strike set Nottingham Forest on course for a stunning 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday, December 21.
The win marked Forest’s third consecutive victory, pushing them momentarily to fourth place in the Premier League table, just two points below Arsenal.
Aina’s opener, his second goal of the season, came in the 28th minute after a perfectly timed run into the box. Neco Williams delivered a low cross, which Aina met with precision, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to give Forest the lead.
Forest doubled their lead shortly after the break, with Anthony Elanga capitalising on a defensive lapse by Keane Lewis-Potter. Elanga burst into the box and coolly slotted the ball past Flekken, effectively sealing the three points for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
Despite Brentford’s impressive home record leading into the match, the Bees failed to convert their dominance in possession into goals. Mikkel Damsgaard and Yoane Wissa squandered key opportunities in the first half, leaving their manager, Thomas Frank, frustrated on the sidelines. The loss marked Brentford’s first home defeat of the season and saw them slip to 12th place in the standings.
Speaking after the match, Aina couldn’t hide his excitement,
“It’s a bit of a dream to be in the top four, we’re taking it one game at a time, but we’re working hard, and the manager has brought a new philosophy that’s working for us.”
Aina, who has now scored two goals in 17 appearances this season, reflected on his attacking contributions,
“When I was younger, I used to score goals left, right, and centre, I’m just happy I got one today and helped the team get the three points.”
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis also praised Aina’s performance, calling his strike “a fantastic finish.”
Forest’s form has not only kept them in the hunt for European qualification but has also raised hopes of an unlikely Premier League title challenge under Espirito Santo.
Super Eagles star Lookman shares his next milestone after Ballon d'Or nomination
Previously, TheRadar reported that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, one of Nigeria’s biggest football talents, had set new goals after being nominated for the prestigious 2024 Ballon d'Or and CAF Men's Player of the Year awards.
The Atalanta BC star had declared his ambition to lead Nigeria to the AFCON 2025 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, building on his recent successes with both his club and national teams.
