'Tough challenge' - Former PL strikers say same thing about Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina's tackle on Justin
'Tough challenge' - Former PL strikers say same thing about Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina's tackle on Justin
Nottingham Forest suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Leeds United on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season on Saturday, with Anton Stach’s 88th-minute freekick proving to be the difference at the City Ground.
Ola Aina, who missed the latter part of last season due to injury, has now returned to full fitness, with the Nigeria international named in the starting lineup for Leeds United’s visit.
The versatile fullback gave a good account of himself, using his pace and agility to cause problems for the visitors, but he was also involved in one of the game's most contentious incidents in the first half.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations star was shown a yellow card in the 18th minute following a mistimed challenge on Leeds defender James Justin.
Former Premier League strikers Dion Dublin and Chris Sutton both described the tackle as a strong challenge shortly after the incident, despite Aina's claim that he had won the ball first.
The video assistant referee reviewed the challenge but the Chelsea academy graduate escaped with a yellow card.
Speaking on The BBC, Dublin noted: "Ola Aina loses control and he lunges into the challenge but it is low.
"It's a tough challenge but it's a yellow card and I think that's about right."
Former Blackburn Rovers star Sutton added: "Daniel Farke not happy about that, a strong challenge. Ola Aina on James Justin, he's saying he won the ball but he came off his feet".
Against Leeds United, Ola Aina recorded a joint game-high three key passes and completed three dribbles, a tally that no other player from either team surpassed.
Walking a disciplinary tightrope, the Nigerian was substituted for Luca Netz with 16 minutes remaining.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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