Aston Villa to take legal action against Jamie Carragher over 'unacceptable insults'
Aston Villa say they will sue Jamie Carragher after the pundit told the club's fans to 'shut up' while discussing Unai Emery and Manchester United.
Aston Villa have said they will begin legal action against Jamie Carragher, accusing the pundit of "unacceptable insults" towards the club and its supporters. In a statement posted on the club's social media on Friday and signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris, Villa said it would "not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football".
The dispute stems from comments Carragher made on the Stick to Football podcast. He suggested Villa manager Unai Emery would be interested in the Manchester United job, arguing that "Aston Villa will never be Manchester United" and that there is a "chain in football" in which bigger clubs take the best players and managers from those below them. He also told Villa supporters to "shut the [expletive] up".
Carragher's remarks drew criticism from Villa fans, and he later addressed the backlash on social media. He described the comment as "a joke" made after the stick he had received from Villa supporters over his suggestion that Emery might fancy joining United, and said he hoped clips circulating online would show him praising Emery and Villa, adding that he had been pleased when the club won the 2026 Europa League in Istanbul.
Carragher works as a football pundit for Sky Sports and American broadcaster CBS. His comments about United come amid scrutiny of the club's managerial situation, with the article stating that Michael Carrick's position at United is under pressure after a dismal start to the campaign. Villa, meanwhile, have responded publicly and threatened legal steps rather than limiting their reaction to a statement of disagreement.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
