“He’s wicked” – Super Eagles defender Ola Aina raves about Nottingham Forest youngster

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has showered praise on rising Brazilian talent Jair Cunha, describing the Nottingham Forest youngster as “wicked”, Afrik Foot reports.

The 29-year-old full-back has started 18 of Forest’s 34 English Premier League games, having missed a chunk of action due to a hamstring injury that kept him out for four months.

Since returning, though, Aina has rediscovered top form at right-back under Vitor Pereira.

Nottingham Forest: Ola Aina lauds Jair Cunha

Jair Cunha joined the Reds from Botafogo last summer, but has become a regular figure of late, following his rapid development under head coach Vítor Pereira.

Ahead of Nottingham Forest’s Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa, Aina spoke glowingly about Cunha during his pre-match press conference.

“He’s been wicked, hasn’t he? I think he [Cunha] has been,” the one-time Premier League winner said in quotes revealed by Nottingham Forest News.

“Obviously, at the start of the season, he wasn’t playing as much, so maybe people didn’t see how good he is. But we see him every day in training.

“If he keeps his head down, like I think he will do, he’ll go a long way,” the Super Eagles defender concluded.

The endorsement from a seasoned international like Aina shows how highly the young Brazilian is rated within the Forest dressing room.

Under Pereira, Forest have tightened defensively while maintaining intensity in European competition.

The Portuguese tactician has gradually trusted younger players in high-stakes matches, and Cunha appears to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

With Murillo ruled out of the clash against Aston Villa due to a muscle problem, Jair Cunha will most likely slot in alongside Nikola Milenkovic at the heart of Forest’s defence.