Costly slip: UCL-winning midfielder, ex-Man City coach blame Ola Aina for Brentford's first goal

After defeat to Manchester City in the semifinals of the Emirates FA Cup, Nottingham Forest couldn't take advantage of their game in hand, losing 2-0 to Brentford in a Premier League encounter at the City Ground on Thursday night. 

Goals from cap-tied Germany international of Nigerian descent Kevin Schade and Congolese forward Yoane Wissa secured an impressive road win for the Bees.

Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo made four changes to the side, one of which saw Ola Aina make his comeback after exactly a month on the sidelines due to a calf issue.

With only one minute left in the first half, Brentford went ahead when Nathan Collins' lofted pass reached Schade, who calmly placed his shot under Matz Sels to put the away side in front.

Nottingham Forest's defeat to Brentford saw defensive lapses come under the spotlight, with former Manchester City coach Stuart Pearce and two-time UEFA Champions League-winning midfielder Owen Hargreaves singling out Ola Aina for a crucial mistake that led to the opening goal.

Schade capitalized on a breakdown in Forest's defensive line midway through the first half, pouncing on a long ball that exposed space behind the back four.

"It's a fullback's nightmare when inverted wingers dart inside," Pearce said on Premier League Productions.

"You are not sure whether to play offside or stay with the runner. If you switch off—which Aina has done there—you can see his body language, he's more relaxed than he should be."

Aina's momentary hesitation and eventual slip gave Schade the space he needed, and he was ruthless in punishing the error.

Hargreaves, also on punditry duty, noted the uncharacteristic nature of the mistake.

"Three of those players have barely made a mistake all season. Three of their best players made a mistake," he said.

"Aina slips and Sels maybe doesn't come off his line. It's a shame that the mistake led to a goal."

In his comeback from injury, Aina was in action for 75 minutes before making way for Ibrahim Sangare.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com