Alpay still unsure over future
Alpay has been offered a two-year extension to his current deal, and if he signs on the dotted line, he will be committed to Villa until 2006.
But the 29-year-old is undecided about if he will remain at Villa Park after demanding a transfer when he returned from Turkey's impressive World Cup campaign.
He has subsequently hinted he is prepared to stay in the Midlands but is maintaining a non-committal stance.
"I have an agreement with Aston Villa until 2004," he told his official website.
"There were offers for me after the World Cup and I said that 'I want to leave Aston Villa'.
"But Aston Villa wanted a big transfer fee for me. They have offered me an agreement until 2006 but I have thought about playing for other clubs."
The commanding centre half joined Villa from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2000 and immediately established himself in The Premiership.
However, he has not featured for Villa since the Midlands derby against Birmingham in mid-September amid claims he is barred from the team until he signs a new contract.
Villa refute this accusation but Alpay insists manager Graham Taylor is keen to include him in his plans.
He added: "My club president said to me 'sign a new agreement or you cannot wear Aston Villa's shirt'.
"But I think that was a threat which I have not accepted.
"The team coach, Graham Taylor, likes me and my performances. He needs me.
"He said to me 'You cannot stay on the bench. You are a good player'. That is better."
Alpay is also convinced his national team can pip England to the automatic qualifying spot for Euro 2004.
Turkey face Macedonia and Liechtenstein in a double-header and Alpay believes if they can dispose of those two countries, England will be next on their hit list.
"We play two important matches for Euro 2004," he continued. "If we can win them, we can play the decisive match against England.
"The England match is very important for me. I live in England.
"I know that we will beat England but when I think about that match I get excited."
