'It's a controlled finish' - Michael Owen reveals what impressed him about Aina's first Nottingham Forest goal 

Nottingham Forest maintained their unbeaten home record in this season's Premier League thanks to an early goal in either half from Ola Aina and Orel Mangala that gave Steve Cooper's team a 2-0 victory over Unai Emery's Aston Villa.

For the first time since late August, Nottingham Forest had the advantage going in at halftime, courtesy of Ola Aina putting them 1-0 up - the sixth goal he's ever scored in 205 appearances combined for Chelsea, Hull City, Torino and Nottingham Forest. 

In a well worked move, the Nigeria international guided the ball into the bottom corner with a sidefoot finish from about 25 yards out for his first goal in Nottingham Forest colours in what was his seventh appearance for the two-time European champions.

Former Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who was on punditry duties for Premier League Productions, praised Aina for the way he took his goal, highlighting that the defender opted to sidefoot home instead of going for power. 

The England legend said: "Actually you'd expect a ball like this to be hit with the laces from that far out, 25 yards out really. It's actually a really controlled finish with the inside of his foot. 

"You can see there three or four Nottingham Forest players offside, I'd say that Awoniyi is the one influencing it most but I don't think he's causing any interference with the goalkeeper's line of sight.

He added: "I do feel the ball was meant for Mangala not for him. If he went for power, I won't blame him, I do think laces are used far too much in the game especially inside the box. 

"That just goes to show you can get power as well as even more accuracy with the side of your foot. 

"It's a beautiful strike and hard enough to knock it past the goalkeeper."

Following their win, Nottingham Forest have leapfrogged Chelsea in the 12th position while Aston Villa missed the chance to move into the top three and remain fifth in the standings. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: nottinghamforest.co.uk

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