'Kept the in-form Luis Diaz quiet' - Alan Shearer explains why Aina has been included in his PL TOTW

Premier League's record goalscorer Alan Shearer has revealed his Team of the Week following the conclusion of the matchday four fixtures, with the Best XI dominated by Nottingham Forest. 

Nuno Espirito Santo's side earned a shock 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi's game-wining goal in the 72nd minute.

Aina has cracked the Team of the Week alongside Nottingham Forest teammates Murillo, Alex Moreno and Elliot Anderson.

Shearer has deployed the Nigeria international at right wing-back in what appears to be a 3-4-3 formation, with Moreno occupying the left-wing back role.

Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) is protected by a back three consisting of Matthijs de Ligt (Man Utd), Gabriel (Arsenal) and Murillo (Nottingham Forest), with Jorginho (Arsenal) and Anderson (Nottingham Forest) the holding midfielders.

As expected, Manchester City's goal machine Erling Haaland leads the line, flanked by Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta and Aston Villa's England international Ollie Watkins.

Making his fourth start of the season, Aina caught the eye against Liverpool, finishing the game with an impressive passing accuracy of 100 percent, while completing a joint-game high two dribbles. 

Explaining why Aina has been picked in his Team of the Week, Shearer noted that the Chelsea academy product did a great job in keeping Luis Díaz quiet. 

The Colombia star was in great form before the visit of Nottingham Forest, having registered four goal involvements (3 goals, 1 assist) in his last two games.

"Part of a fine defensive display from Forest, Aina kept the in-form Luis Diaz quiet, which is no mean feat," Shearer told the official website of the Premier League.

Aina went the distance in Nigeria's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin and Rwanda, playing in a right wing-back role. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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