Johnsen return paves way for Alpay axing

Ronny Johnsen’s return to fitness means Aston Villa’s under-fire central defender Alpay looks set to be dropped for Sunday’s derby with Birmingham.

Johnsen has missed Villa’s last four games – and Norway’s weekend Euro 2004 qualifier with Luxembourg – with a hamstring problem suffered at Manchester City.

But the former Manchester United star is now back in full training and likely to recalled at St Andrews by Villa boss O’Leary.

The Johnsen-Olof Mellberg combination has been O’Leary’s first-choice pairing since the second game of the season.

Alpay, who has come under fire for his goading of David Beckham during the Turkey-England Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul on Saturday, has only been used as a stand-in when injuries have affected the squad.

The 28-year-old put in a poor performance at Portsmouth in the opening Premiership match, being at fault for two goals, and was immediately dropped by O’Leary.

When he has been given a chance since then, Alpay’s displays for Villa have generally been disappointing apart from against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

O’Leary had tried to make peace with Alpay after his much publicised fall-outs with previous manager Graham Taylor last season.

But Alpay faces being regarded as public enemy one after his weekend antics and, if he is not chosen on Sunday now that Johnsen is fit, it will help to diffuse a potentially explosive situation.

Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen is also fit to face Blues. He was substituted in the 1-1 draw against Bolton because of a back problem but played for Denmark against Bosnia on Saturday.