Nigerian defender Ola Aina pleased with Nottingham Forest’s resilient draw at Crystal Palace

Ola Aina has expressed his contentment following Nottingham Forest’s 1–1 draw against Crystal Palace in their Premier League clash at Selhurst Park on Monday night.

Eberechi Eze gave the hosts the lead just after the hour mark, calmly converting from the penalty spot. Forest, however, responded swiftly, levelling the score only four minutes later through Brazilian centre-back Murillo, who capitalised on a lapse in the Palace defence to fire home.

Despite a late surge from the home side, including a near miss when Eze struck the woodwork in the closing stages, the match ended with honours even. A result Aina views positively.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the Nigerian full-back acknowledged the challenges of playing at Selhurst Park and praised his side’s ability to fight back.

“I think it’s a good point away from home. It’s difficult to play here, they’re solid. With the level we’ve reached recently, a point is a good result,” he said.

Nottingham Forest, under the guidance of manager Nuno Espírito Santo, have been navigating a difficult spell in the Premier League, with just four points taken from their last five matches.

Still, Aina remains confident in the team’s direction and emphasised the importance of perseverance and continued effort as the season progresses.

“Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone our way lately,” he continued. “But the hard work continues and we are aiming for three points from every game, even though we didn’t manage it today.”

The draw leaves Forest in a precarious position as the battle to avoid relegation intensifies, with every point crucial in the final stretch of the campaign.

Aina’s measured reaction reflects a growing maturity in the squad, particularly as they seek to stabilise their form and move clear of the bottom end of the table.

Crystal Palace, for their part, will feel aggrieved not to have claimed all three points. Eze’s influence was evident throughout the match, with his creative spark and calmness under pressure giving the Eagles a persistent threat in the final third. His penalty was deserved reward for his performance, though the post denied him a late winner.

Murillo’s equaliser shifted the momentum temporarily in Forest’s favour, but neither side managed to break the deadlock again. The draw leaves both clubs with work to do, but Forest will take heart from their resilience and ability to respond under pressure.

Aina’s leadership both on and off the pitch continues to be an asset for the Midlands side. The Nigerian international, who joined Forest in the summer, has become a reliable figure in defence and a vocal presence in the dressing room.

With the season entering a critical phase, Nottingham Forest’s next fixtures will be vital in shaping their fate. The squad’s unity, as reflected in Aina’s post-match comments, could prove decisive in their efforts to retain top-flight status.

The road ahead remains challenging, but Forest’s ability to dig deep and secure valuable points away from home may yet prove crucial in the months to come.