Nottingham Forest boss explains why Taiwo Awoniyi was absent in Aston Villa clash

Nottingham Forest head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, has revealed why Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, was absent in his side's loss to Aston Villa yesterday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old hasn't enjoyed his football in the Premier League this season, as consistent knocks have seen him lose his place in Forest's starting lineup.

Awoniyi was given a rare start by Santo in Forest's 1-0 win over Manchester United during the midweek game, and he played 85 minutes, but an injury-ridden Forest side were without a striker when they lost to Aston Villa at the Villa Park last evening.

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First-half goals from Donyell Malen and Morgan Rodgers saw Forest crumble to a hostile Villa Park crowd, but the second half was much better, although they were made to pay for the number of chances they scuffed.

Quizzed about why Awoniyi wasn't in the squad to face Unai Emery's side, Forest's head coach revealed the Super Eagles striker has picked up a hamstring injury.

“He felt his hamstring in the game [against Manchester United]. When I spoke to you on Thursday, I already knew. I am sorry I didn’t tell you. We are going to have to assess day by day, him and Chris (Wood), to see if they can help us in the next one,” the Portuguese gaffer said in quotes relayed by Nottingham Post.

“It is day by day. He [Wood] is improving. Let’s see about the results of the scan on Taiwo Awoniyi, then we’ll have a better opinion. It is going to be assessed day by day.

“For me, football is strikers. We missed Chris, and we missed T, because the way we play and the way we do things we need a reference player. It is very hard on Anthony (Elanga), Callum (Hudson-Odoi), Jota (Silva) and (Ramon) Sosa to do the same. It is not the same,” the former Tottenham Hotspur manager concluded.

Forest's loss to Villa could be pivotal in their pursuit of a finish in the UEFA Champions League qualification places. They're now five points behind second-placed Arsenal and four points above Chelsea, who are in fourth.

The Reds' injury woes are compounded by Awoniyi's absence. They're also without Ola Aina, Chris Wood, and Callum Hudson-Odoi.