Alpay’s future at Villa in doubt

ASTON VILLA have revealed controversial central defender Alpay was given permission not to report for training on Tuesday – but major doubts still linger over the Turkish international’s future at the club.

Alpay has been the victim of a public hate campaign following his spat with David Beckham during the Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul.

Turkey manager Senol Gunes is considering dropping the under-pressure defender for his country's play-offs against Latvia while he is at the centre of the controversy.