Alpay returns to Villa

Alpay was back with his Aston Villa team-mates today for the first time since his muchpublicised spat with David Beckham in Istanbul.

But there was no showdown meeting with manager David O'Leary over whether he has a future at Villa.

O'Leary and Alpay exchanged pleasantries in a brief informal chat before the Turkish international joined the squad for a training session.

It remains to be seen whether O'Leary will recall Alpay for Villa's next match at home to Everton on Saturday.

The player caused a storm of controversy when he goaded Beckham after the England captain missed a penalty in the Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul and then was involved in another confrontation with Beckham in the players' tunnel at half-time.

Alpay is already unpopular with some of the club's fans and did not play in last Sunday's derby against Birmingham.