Super Eagles defender Ola Aina featured for Nottingham Forest as Leeds United snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory at the City Ground through Anton Stach’s stunning late free kick.
The defeat also handed Oliver Glasner his first Premier League loss as Nottingham Forest manager. Forest had looked set to settle for a point before Stach produced a decisive moment in the 88th minute.
With the match heading towards a goalless finish, the Leeds midfielder struck from long range. His effort caught goalkeeper Matz Sels off guard and found a gap at the near post to give Leeds all three points.
Ola Aina plays 74 minutes for Nottingham Forest
Ola Aina made an early impact when Igor Jesus met his long throw in the 17th minute. However, Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford reacted quickly to keep out the resulting header.
Aina came under pressure one minute later. VAR reviewed his challenge on James Justin, but the Forest defender escaped with a yellow card.
Forest thought they had taken the lead in the 25th minute. Harry Wilson tapped in Jayden Bogle’s cross, but the officials ruled out the goal for offside.
The home side continued to create opportunities before half time. Nikola Milenkovic flicked a James McAtee cross onto the far post in the 40th minute.
Trafford then produced another important save. The Leeds goalkeeper denied Igor Jesus from close range as Forest pressed for the opening goal.
Leeds created their first shot on target shortly after the restart. Brenden Aaronson cut inside in the 47th minute, but Sels dealt with his effort.
Forest missed another big opportunity seven minutes later. Jesus headed over from a promising position after Aina delivered a hanging cross towards the back post.
Chris Wood then entered the contest and almost made an immediate impact. Four minutes after coming on, the substitute dragged his effort wide after Murillo played him through.
Sels later produced the save of the match. In the 69th minute, he made a superb stop to deny Tarik Muharemovic from inside the penalty area.
That save looked set to keep the score level. However, Stach had other ideas as Leeds finally broke the deadlock with two minutes remaining.
The late goal underlined how important set pieces proved throughout the contest. Many of the best chances came from dead ball situations, with both teams repeatedly threatening from crosses and free kicks.
Igor Jesus had two strong headed chances for Forest. Trafford saved his first effort in the opening half, while Jesus headed another opportunity over shortly after the interval.
Wood also missed a good chance after coming off the bench. At the other end, Sels kept Forest out again with a superb reaction save to claw Muharemovic’s goalbound header away.
Despite the defeat, Ola Aina remained involved throughout his time on the pitch. The Super Eagles defender played 74 minutes, completed 16 of 25 passes and recorded 57 touches.
Aina also made 13 carries, four recoveries and two clearances during his outing. His defensive and attacking involvement helped Forest maintain pressure, but the home side could not find the goal they needed.
Leeds therefore left the City Ground with a valuable three points. Forest, meanwhile, must regroup quickly after suffering their first Premier League defeat under Glasner.
