Aina Named in BBC Premier League XI After Brentford Heroics
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has been named in the BBC Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 23 by pundit and former Watford captain Troy Deeney.
The Nottingham Forest right-back earned the recognition after delivering a standout performance in his side’s 2-0 victory over Brentford at the GTECH Stadium.
Aina, who recently returned from a three-month hamstring injury that also kept him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, made his fourth consecutive start for Forest. His display was crucial in helping the team secure back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.
The 29-year-old was immense defensively, recording three interceptions, the joint-highest in the game, alongside five clearances and a blocked shot. He also contributed in attack, providing the assist for Igor Jesus’ opener in the first half before compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi sealed the win late on.
The Team of the Week featured several Aston Villa players, including Emiliano Martínez, Ian Maatsen, Youri Tielemans, and Emiliano Buendía, following their 2-0 triumph over Newcastle United.
Other selections included Marc Guéhi of Manchester City, Jorge Cuenca of Fulham, Ibrahim Sangaré and Igor Jesus of Nottingham Forest, and Chelsea’s Estêvão Willian.
Explaining his choice of Aina, Deeney praised the defender’s composure and versatility: ‘This Brentford team are well known for getting crosses in the wide areas. I thought he defended excellently at the far post in Forest’s 2-0 win, cleared everything. He was good at dealing with how people tried to run at him. He offered a lot going forward, too.’
