Boost for Nottingham Forest as Nigeria star Ola Aina nears return

Forest will face Chelsea in a Premier League clash on Monday.

Aina was forced off during Forest's 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday night, sparking concern among supporters and the technical team.

The Super Eagles star had been one of Forest's standout performers on the night, providing stability and attacking support down the right flank before his evening was cut short in the 75th minute.

The 29-year-old appeared to struggle after a heavy challenge from Aston Villa's Lucas Digne and was unable to continue, with Zack Abbott introduced as his replacement.

Given Aina's importance to the squad, the incident raised fears of another setback, especially after he had only recently returned from a hamstring injury earlier in the season.

However, Pereira has since eased those concerns, suggesting the Nigerian defender's injury may not be as serious as initially feared. Speaking ahead of the Chelsea encounter, the Forest boss even shared a light-hearted exchange with Aina that hinted at a quick recovery.

"I said to him, I'm sorry but it's impossible for you to be injured! He said he will be in the right condition, and I hope he will," Pereira revealed on the club's website as quoted by Soccernet.

Aina has been a key figure for Forest this season, making 28 appearances across all competitions and bringing consistency to the backline during a challenging campaign.

His potential availability will come as a major boost for the Tricky Trees as they continue their fight for Premier League survival.

Forest currently sit five points above the relegation zone and face a crucial run-in, with Monday's clash against Chelsea carrying significant importance. Beyond that, attention will quickly shift to the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

While a final decision on Aina's involvement against Chelsea is yet to be made, there is growing optimism that the Super Eagles defender will not be sidelined for long.

If he does miss out, a return in the European tie next Thursday remains a strong possibility, offering Forest further hope at a decisive stage of the season. 

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