Nigeria defender Ola Aina is making a huge statement with his performance in the English Premier League this season, contributing quantitatively and qualitatively to the ambitions of the high-flying Nottingham Forest
In what will go down as the best season of his professional career, Aina is already up as one of the best defenders in the Premier League in the current campaign and also attracting interest from other clubs, including Manchester City, who visit them on Saturday (today) at the City Ground.
Today’s contest might be a sort of audition for the 28-year-old who has already been eyed by City but the Nigerian has impressed this season with some stats which would also be hard for the reigning champions and other suitors to overlook.
No player in the Premier League has made more clearances off the line than Aina in the EPL this season with the Nigerian topping the chart with three crucial moments just as Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, Aston Villa’s Eric Konsa and Iliman Ndiaye of Everton.
In total, Aina’s three goal-line clearances have essentially earned Forest five points: wins rather than draws with Ipswich and Southampton, and a draw rather than a defeat against Liverpool. Five points from goal-line clearances are more than any other player in the league and they would have been out of the top-four spot if not for the Nigerian.
Appearances – 27 games
Only six players have played all 28 games in the EPL this season. Aina isn’t among them but he has only missed one Forest game, sitting in seventh position in terms of appearances this season.
Minutes played – 2,355
For his consistency, the full-back has played 2,355 minutes of EPL games this season, second for Forest behind Matz Sels with 2,43 and third among African players in the league behind Mohamed Salah (2,438) and Bryan Mbeumo (2,425).
Interceptions – 29
In terms of breaking dangerous plays of the opponent, Aina sits 24th overall this season with 29 interceptions.
With his impressive stats and Forest’s run this season, Aina will also hope to get a first win against the Cityzens having lost all previous five games in which he featured against Pep Guardiola’s side.
