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Forest defender leads the way in Europe
Aina has most ball wins across top five leagues
Full-back played a key part in win against Man City
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina leads the way in the top five European leagues for winning the ball back in defensive areas according to WhoScored.
The Forest full-back has played over 2,500 minutes in all competitions this season, and is already enjoying his best season in the top division of the countries he has played in.
Aina has won the ball back in defensive areas a full 13 times more than any other player putting Aina top of the list across the continent.
The 28-year-old’s defensive prowess has help Matz Sels to 12 Premier League clean sheets this season, the most in the division, and the joint-most of the full-back’s career to date.
Ola Aina - Forest v Man City - stats
Ola Aina - Forest v Man City - stats
In addition, the 28-year-old had made 30 interceptions in 2024/25, the most in the Forest squad and the joint-26th most across the Premier League.
Aina has put in 58 tackles in all competitions with 53 of those coming in the Premier League putting the defender joint-38th in the division. Indeed, his tackle on Omar Marmoush against Manchester City on Saturday put the ball back in the Reds possession to go and net the winner against the champions.
On Saturday, Aina won four ground duels against Jérémy Doku, who he lined up against from the start at The City Ground, making three clearances, two headed clearances and four ball recoveries against City.