Awoniyi scores in Forest win as Nuno vows to keep Ola Aina

Nottingham Forest's stunning season continued with a 3-0 victory at Wolves on Monday to give manager Nuno Espirito Santo a winning return to Molineux.

England international Morgan Gibbs-White and the in-form Chris Wood struck before half-time to take Forest to within six points of leaders Liverpool, who they host in their next Premier League game.

Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi rounded off the scoring and a sixth consecutive win for Forest in stoppage time. The defeat leaves Wolves outside the relegation zone only thanks to goal difference as they suffered a first defeat under new boss Vitor Pereira.

Forest remains third in the table but moves level on points with Arsenal.

Even if a shock title challenge proves beyond Espirito Santo's men, they are building up an impressive cushion in the race for Champions League football next season.

They are five points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle and six in front of struggling champions Manchester City in sixth.

A top-four finish would guarantee a return to the continent's elite competition for the first time in 45 years for the two-time European champions.

However, fifth could also be good enough depending on how the English club fare in European competition this season.

"We need to stay humble. We haven't achieved anything yet, we need to work until the end and this can lead us to good moments," said Espirito Santo.

He also expressed his desire to retain Nigeria defender Ola Aina amid growing interest from Manchester City and Galatasaray, with the versatile full-back’s impressive performances attracting attention from multiple clubs.

The Portuguese tactician emphasised the importance of maintaining squad stability during the January transfer window, with Aina’s contract situation attracting attention from potential suitors.

“You never know what is going to happen in the transfer window, but our goal is to keep our players intact,” Nuno told Sky Sports.

“That is difficult because clubs are looking at all the possibilities, with us included on that. This is our priority.”

The 28-year-old, whose current deal expires at the end of the 2024/25 season, can now negotiate with non-English clubs, with Turkish champions Galatasaray reportedly interested in securing his services.

English Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly considering the Nigerian as a potential replacement for veteran right-back Kyle Walker, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.