{
  "id": 7070994,
  "title": "EPL: Why I played Ola Aina as centre-back in 2-1 win over Aston Villa – Nottingham Forest boss, Glasner",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/epl-why-i-played-ola-aina-as-centre-back-in-2-1-win-over-aston-villa",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T06:26:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/13/epl-why-i-played-ola-aina-as-centre-back-in-2-1-win-over-aston-villa-nottingham-forest-boss-glasner/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nottingham Forest manager Olivier Glasner has provided insight into his decision to field Ola Aina as a centre-back during the team's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday. The Nigerian international was deployed in a left-sided centre-back role within a back three formation, as the club secured its maiden Premier League win of the season under Glasner's management. Glasner explained his tactical choice in a post-match interview with Forest TV, revealing that the decision was necessitated by injuries sustained by the two central defenders. After receiving medical reports in the evening, Glasner approached Aina and Ousmane Diomande to confirm their willingness to adapt to the new role. Aina, confident in his ability to perform in the unfamiliar position, agreed to play as the left-sided centre-back. Glasner expressed immense pride in Aina's performance, which included three tackles, one interception, four clearances, and two recoveries during the match.",
  "summary": "Nottingham Forest manager, Olivier Glasner, has explained why he deployed Ola Aina as a centre-back during their win over Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. The Nigerian international played as the left-sided centre-back in a back three, contributing to Forest’s hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Villa at Villa Park. The victory represented Forest’s first Premier League win of the […] EPL: Why I played…",
  "key_points": [
    "Olivier Glasner deployed Ola Aina as left-sided centre-back.",
    "Injuries forced tactical change for Nottingham Forest.",
    "Aina delivered strong performance with key defensive stats."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Glasner's willingness to adapt Ola Aina's role due to injury shows flexibility in his tactics and trust in his players' versatility, which could be key to Nottingham Forest's success.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "I’m really proud of Aina –Glasner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/im-really-proud-of-aina-glasner",
        "published": "2026-09-13T00:51:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}