Nottingham Forest has managed to navigate the 2024/25 season with a fair amount of luck when it comes to injuries, but the recent blow of losing Ola Aina to injury could throw a spanner in the works for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Aina, who has been a key player for Forest this season, was seen on crutches after being forced off during the match against Manchester United on Tuesday, sparking a wave of concern among the fans. The injury is still being assessed, but it appears to be serious enough to keep him out for a while, with Espirito Santo himself confirming the setback in his press conference ahead of their next match against Aston Villa. This news, combined with the fact that Chris Wood picked up a knock while on international duty, has left Espirito Santo scrambling for solutions as the team heads into the final stretch of the season.
Until now, Forest has been fortunate to avoid significant injury problems, which has played a crucial role in their strong push for a top-four finish in the Premier League. However, with just eight games left in the season and Champions League qualification in their sights, the loss of Aina, combined with Wood’s injury, puts additional pressure on the squad. Aina has been one of Forest’s most reliable performers this season, particularly in the full-back role, where his defensive solidity and attacking contributions have been invaluable. His injury, therefore, represents a significant hole in the team’s structure. Espirito Santo now faces the difficult task of finding a suitable replacement for Aina while ensuring that the squad’s momentum is not disrupted at such a crucial juncture.
With that in mind, here are three potential solutions that Espirito Santo could consider to deal with Aina’s absence and keep Forest’s Champions League hopes alive in the final eight games.
- Neco Williams Returns to Right-Back Role
One of the most straightforward and logical solutions would be to shift Neco Williams back to his natural position at right-back. Williams has been deployed at left-back for much of the season, and while he has performed admirably in that role, he is primarily a right-back by trade. Moving Williams back to the right side would allow Alex Moreno, who has been a strong performer on the left, to slot in at left-back and fill the gap left by Aina.
This switch would have minimal impact on the overall shape and balance of the team. Williams has played right-back extensively for both club and country, and his familiarity with the role means that he would not need to adjust too much to the position. Williams is also a versatile player who can contribute both defensively and going forward, and his speed and energy down the right flank would provide Forest with width and attacking outlets. His overlapping runs and ability to deliver crosses could be key in providing width in Forest’s attacks, ensuring that the team continues to be a threat going forward, even in Aina’s absence.
Alex Moreno, on the other hand, has been excellent when given the opportunity this season. His technical ability, crossing, and defensive capabilities make him a reliable option at left-back. The Spanish full-back has already shown his quality when called upon, and with him slotting in at left-back, Espirito Santo would be able to maintain a balanced defensive setup without disrupting the team’s overall structure. This solution, though not groundbreaking, is the most conventional and likely the least disruptive to the team’s tactical setup.
- Morato Forms a Three-at-the-Back System
If Espirito Santo is looking for a more tactical solution, he could opt for a switch to a three-at-the-back formation. This would involve bringing Brazilian defender Morato into the starting XI alongside Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo to form a solid central defensive trio. Morato has been a reliable option for Espirito Santo when Forest has needed to shore up their defense in high-pressure situations, and the manager has expressed confidence in the Brazilian’s abilities after seeing him impress in training this season. Morato has been involved in several key moments for Forest this season, including playing an important role in their dominant 7-0 victory over Brighton earlier in the campaign.
With Morato coming in, Forest would still have a strong defensive setup, and the three central defenders would offer more security at the back, especially in aerial duels and set-piece situations. Milenkovic and Murillo have both been solid defensively this season, and with Morato added to the mix, Forest would be able to protect their goal while maintaining their defensive discipline. This would allow Forest to switch to a back three and continue using wing-backs or full-backs in advanced roles to support the attack.
The main benefit of this formation is that it gives Forest more defensive cover, which could be useful in high-stakes matches, especially when playing against teams with strong attacking threats. However, this formation would require some tactical adjustments. For example, if Forest opts for a back three, the full-backs or wing-backs would need to be more dynamic and be willing to contribute to both defensive and offensive duties. In addition, the midfielders would need to be more mobile and adaptable, ensuring that the team can still control the game while maintaining defensive solidity. This system could be particularly effective in matches where Forest is facing tough opposition or when they need to defend a narrow lead.
- Anthony Elanga as Right Wing-Back
For a more unconventional but potentially effective solution, Espirito Santo could experiment with using Anthony Elanga as a right wing-back. Elanga, who has been a key player for Forest this season, has shown flashes of his potential as an attacking winger, particularly with his blistering pace. His ability to burst past defenders and stretch opposition defenses could be crucial in a counter-attacking setup. By deploying Elanga as a wing-back, Espirito Santo could utilize his speed and work rate to create additional attacking outlets on the right side of the pitch.
Though Elanga is not a traditional wing-back, his defensive ability has improved, and his willingness to track back could make him a solid option for this role. He has completed 70.6% of his tackles on average this season and has also won 45% of his duels per game, showing that he is more than capable of contributing defensively. His pace, combined with his ability to press and make runs from deep, would provide Forest with an extra dimension in attack, particularly in games where they are looking to hit opponents on the counter.
By using Elanga as a right wing-back, Espirito Santo could continue to use Neco Williams as a left wing-back, where he has been performing well this season. This system would provide Forest with plenty of attacking options from both flanks, while still maintaining defensive solidity with three central defenders. It would also allow Forest to keep the pressure on teams who push high up the field, with Elanga’s pace being a key asset in breaking quickly and exploiting spaces on the counter. However, this solution would require Elanga to adapt to a more defensive role, which may take time, and his performances would need to be monitored closely to ensure that his attacking contribution doesn’t outbalance his defensive responsibilities.
Conclusion
The loss of Ola Aina represents a significant challenge for Nuno Espirito Santo as he aims to maintain Forest’s strong form heading into the final stretch of the season. With Champions League qualification on the line, Espirito Santo will need to make a decision on how best to cover Aina’s absence. Each of the three potential solutions—moving Neco Williams back to right-back, shifting to a three-at-the-back system with Morato, or deploying Anthony Elanga as a right wing-back—has its merits and drawbacks.
The most straightforward option would be to move Neco Williams to right-back and slot Alex Moreno into left-back, ensuring minimal disruption to the squad’s balance. Alternatively, a switch to a back three with Morato could provide extra defensive security but would require significant tactical adjustments. Finally, deploying Elanga as a right wing-back could provide an exciting attacking threat, but this would also require Elanga to adapt to a more defensive role.
With just eight matches left and the pressure mounting, Espirito Santo will need to make the right call to ensure that Forest can continue their strong push for a Champions League spot despite the setback caused by Aina’s injury. Each of these options has the potential to be effective, but it will ultimately depend on how Espirito Santo wants to balance defense and attack in the final stretch of the season. The manager will also need to carefully monitor player performances to ensure that any changes made do not negatively impact the overall team dynamic, as every point counts in the race for the top four.