Aina targets UCL with Forest

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina expressed strong confidence that the club will secure a Champions League spot next season, despite narrowly missing out on continental football in the recently concluded campaign. Aina, who endured a stop-start season plagued by two separate injuries, remains convinced that Forest possesses the necessary qualities to break into the Premier League's top four.

The Nigeria international suffered a severe hamstring injury while representing the Super Eagles in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa, sidelining him for the first half of the season. After recovering, he played a crucial role in Forest's journey to the Europa League semifinals. However, a knee injury sustained in the first leg against eventual winners Aston Villa prematurely ended his season.

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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.

Speaking on his podcast, Aina reflected on the team's near miss in the Europa League 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 stated. "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 has been a key player for both Forest and Nigeria, helping the Super Eagles reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He also played a significant role in Forest securing a seventh-place finish in the 2024/2025 Premier League. The versatile fullback confirmed he will be fully fit and available for the start of Forest’s pre-season preparations.

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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.