Nottingham Forest manager Vítor Pereira has moved to calm concerns over Ola Aina after the defender was forced off during the Europa League semifinal clash with Aston Villa at the City Ground on Thursday night.

The Portuguese football tactician revealed that he had a brief conversation with the Nigeria international shortly after the incident, and early signs suggested that Aina only suffered a knock, not something severe. 

Four minutes after Chris Wood's game-winning goal, Ola Aina went down in visible discomfort and, after receiving treatment on the pitch, he was replaced by teenage defender Zach Abbott.

There is no need to panic about Ola Aina's physical condition, with Pereira confirming that the Cobham Academy graduate has assured him he will be fit for an emotional return to Stamford Bridge on Monday, May 4.

Providing a squad update after the hard fought win over Aston Villa, Pereira said to Nottingham Forest's official webpage: "I said to him, I’m sorry but it’s impossible for you to be injured! He said he will be in the right condition, and I hope he will".

Since recovering from a hamstring injury that meant he was not registered for the Premier League in the first half of the season, Aina has been ever present for The Reds in the top-flight, making fifteen consecutive starts.

With four games remaining in the Premier League, Forest are close to safety but still at risk of relegation if results don't go their way.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel