Aina targets UCL with Forest

Nottingham Forest defender, Ola Aina, has said he is confident the club will secure Champions League qualification next season, after falling agonisingly short of continental football in the campaign just concluded.

The Nigeria international, who battled through a stop-start season disrupted by two separate injuries, insisted Forest have what it takes to break into the Premier League’s top four when the new season begins.

Forest came close to earning a place in the 2026/2027 Champions League but missed out after being eliminated in the semifinals by eventual Europa League winners Aston Villa.

Aina was absent from Forest’s Premier League squad for the first half of the season after suffering a serious hamstring injury while on international duty with the Super Eagles during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

After recovering from that setback, the versatile fullback returned to play an important role in Forest’s run to the Europa League semifinals, only for a knee injury sustained in the first-leg win over Villa to end his season prematurely.

Speaking on his podcast, Aina said the club would have gone all the way had they had a full squad available for the semifinal ties.

“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 said.

“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.”

The Chelsea academy graduate has been a key performer for club and country in recent seasons, helping the Super Eagles reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and playing a significant role as Forest secured a seventh-place finish in the 2024/2025 Premier League season.

Aina has confirmed he will be fully fit and available for the start of Forest’s pre-season preparations.