I used to win every game with Chelsea but now need to beat them

Ola Aina has opened up on his decision to leave Chelsea ahead of the Blues' trip to his Nottingham Forest side on Saturday.

The Nigeria international has been a key player for the Reds this season having made 21 appearances in the Premier League for Forest. Aina arrived at the City Ground from Italian Seria A side Torino last summer on a free transfer.

Nw the full-back will be hoping to dent his former club's European hopes when Forest host Mauricio Pochettino's team this weekend. The 27-year-old rose through Chelsea's academy alongside the likes of Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Roma striker Tammy Abraham in a successful youth side.

“We were going into games knowing that we were going to win," he told the Guardian about his time playing for the club's youth team. "Every game, whether it be a friendly, or FA Cup or youth Champions League.

"We were really close across the age groups too. It was weird [those born in] 1997, 96, 95. Proper close. Everyone chilled together off the pitch. I felt almost everyone was like a brother.”

Aina made just three Premier League appearances for the Blues but was part of the squad which won the club's last league title in 2016/17. When asked if he had any regrets about leaving Stamford Bridge, he said: “I don’t look at it like that.

READ MORE: We simulated Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea ahead of crucial Premier League clash

READ MORE: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea TV channel, live stream and how to watch Premier League clash

"Things change in football all the time and I think I just missed that era of young players being given more of a chance and breaking through as frequently as we’ve seen in the last few years. But I feel things are meant to be and if I was meant to break through as a superstar youngster then I would have done it. I don’t look back on it with any regret or animosity.

“I like playing against Chelsea and I still support them after being there for so many years. Everyone has got their opinions about how things are going for them but this is a new era and it’s not always easy to maintain that level of success.”

Aina will be hoping Forest can take maximum points off Chelsea today as they battle for survival. He said: “I am really enjoying my time here at Forest. I love it. It’s been great and they have welcomed me in with open arms.

The club is fantastic and it’s a great experience playing at the City Ground. The atmosphere is amazing and it feels good to be here. I just want to finish the season and I’m sure stuff will sort itself out. Right now the focus is just being in the Premier League next season.

"We’ve been very unlucky and I think some things could have been dealt with differently – that’s clear for everyone to see. But the way we are as a squad is that we will moan about it for a bit and then just move on. We never dwell on things.

"All we care about is getting on the pitch and performing well. With things not going our way we have got closer together and want to fight for the badge and the club. Our fans can see that togetherness when we’re on the pitch. We have been relentless and won’t stop fighting until the end.”