Ola Aina played a key role as Nottingham Forest secured a 2–0 victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the Nigerian international finding the net in a commanding first-half display.
Aina’s moment of brilliance came just before the break, in the 38th minute, when he capitalized on a well-delivered cross from Neco Williams.
Despite Chris Wood’s failure to connect with the ball at the far post, Aina was on hand to fire past goalkeeper Mark Flekken, giving Forest a 1–0 lead.
In the second half, Forest doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart. Anthony Elanga pounced on a mistake by Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter, stealing the ball and finishing with composure into the bottom corner. Aina’s defensive contribution, combined with Matz Sels’ key saves, ensured that Forest held onto their clean sheet.
Taiwo Awoniyi, Aina’s international teammate, made a late cameo, replacing Chris Wood deep into stoppage time. Though he didn’t get on the scoresheet, his presence helped the team see out the match comfortably.
With the win, Forest climbed to third in the league, with 31 points from 17 matches, just behind Chelsea and Liverpool. Brentford, on the other hand, remains in 12th place with 23 points.
This is another standout performance from the former Torino defender, who continues to show his quality in both defence and attack
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
