Aina aims for Champions League spot with Forest

Nottingham Forest defender, Ola Aina, is sure the club will make it to the Champions League next season. Forest just missed out on playing in Europe this past season, which was very disappointing for them.

The Nigerian player had a tough season with two injuries that slowed him down. But he believes Forest can break into the top four of the Premier League when the new season kicks off.

Forest nearly got a spot in the 2026/2027 Champions League. They lost in the semifinals to Aston Villa, who ended up winning the Europa League.

Aina could not join the team in the Premier League for the first half of the season. He got a serious hamstring injury while playing for the Super Eagles during a World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

After he healed, Aina returned and helped Forest reach the Europa League semifinals. Sadly, he got a knee injury in the first leg against Villa and had to stop playing for the season.

In a chat on his podcast, Aina said the team could have gone all the way if everyone had been fit for the semifinals.

“If we had the full team, Callum, me, Morgan, Murillo couldn’t play (90 minutes), I would have been standing here with my medal. It wasn’t in the plans, God said it wasn’t supposed to be,” he shared.

“We go again next season. Next season, I’m saying it here as well, we will qualify for the Champions League. We will be there, top four. If not, we will make our way somehow.”

Aina, who came from Chelsea's academy, has been a strong player for both his club and Nigeria. He helped the Super Eagles reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and played a big part in Forest finishing seventh in the 2024/2025 Premier League season.

He also said he will be fully fit and ready for the start of Forest's pre-season training.