Ola Aina return date confirmed as Super Eagles star nears comeback after four months layoff

Nottingham Forest will welcome back Nigeria international Ola Aina for Saturday's crucial Premier League encounter with Aston Villa, manager Sean Dyche has confirmed, ending a gruelling four-month absence that has severely tested the club's defensive resources.

The 29-year-old right-back has been sidelined since late August after sustaining a significant hamstring tear while on international duty with the Super Eagles during their World Cup qualifying campaign. 

The injury proved more complex than initially diagnosed, requiring surgical intervention that ruled him out of Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations preparations and forced Forest to remove him from their official Premier League squad list in October.

Speaking ahead of the Villa Park clash, Dyche expressed relief at finally having the experienced defender available again.

"Obviously Ola comes back into the group, which is good," the said during his pre-match press conference. 

"He has put a lot of miles on the clock [on the training ground], not so many game hours because of the situation. But his injury is fine, he feels fine, he is back into the group."

Aina's prolonged absence has left a noticeable gap in Forest's backline throughout the autumn and winter months, with the club forced to rely heavily on makeshift solutions and academy prospects during a demanding fixture schedule. 

His return, made possible by the reopening of the January registration window, provides the coach with a valuable senior option as Forest navigate a congested fixture list.

The defender has methodically worked his way back to full fitness through Forest's medical department, recently completing two appearances for the club's Under-21 side to build match sharpness. Those outings, totalling 153 minutes of competitive action, represent his first game time since the injury.

However, Dyche suggested the former Chelsea and Torino defender may need to be patient regarding an immediate return to the starting lineup.

"He needs game hours now," the manager acknowledged. "We're pleased with his progress, but after such a lengthy period out, we have to be sensible about how we reintegrate him. The intensity of the Premier League is very different from training or development squad football."

Aina's availability comes at an opportune moment for Forest, who face an Aston Villa side still reeling from a comprehensive defeat to Arsenal last weekend. 

His combination of Premier League experience and international pedigree could prove valuable, whether introduced from the bench or included in the starting eleven.

Forest currently sit comfortably in mid-table but will view the trip to Villa Park as an opportunity to build momentum against opponents nursing their own injury concerns. 

Kick-off is scheduled for lunch time on Saturday, with Aina expected to be named in the matchday squad for the first time since September 2025.