Aina: Forest Players Back Pereira as Europa Dream Continues

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has praised manager Vítor Pereira, insisting the squad is united and motivated under his leadership.

Speaking ahead of Forest’s Premier League clash with Burnley at the City Ground, Aina said the team has put early-season turbulence behind them and is now fully focused on both domestic survival and European success.

‘With everything, there was a bit of noise and it was not good,’ Aina admitted.

‘But everything has settled down and everyone is fully focused. All I can say is the club, the boys, everyone is happy with him (Pereira) and the way he does things. We are taking that happiness into games and we cannot ask for much more.’

Forest have climbed away from the relegation zone and reached the Europa League semifinals, where they will face Aston Villa.

Aina described the tie as ‘another difficult test but one which everyone will relish,’ adding: ‘It would be wicked; so amazing to get there in our first try back in Europe. We have to also focus on each game at a time.’

The Nigerian international is set to make his 17th Premier League appearance of the season against Burnley, marking his 84th outing in all competitions for Forest.

Despite scoring once in two previous league meetings with Burnley, Aina is still searching for his first victory against them.

He hopes Sunday’s fixture will bring both a breakthrough result and another step forward in Forest’s campaign.