Aston Villa have announced they have "initiated legal action" against Jamie Carragher over what the club describes as "unacceptable insults about the club and its fans".
In a short statement released through the club's official channels late on Friday night, chairman and co-owner Nassef Sawiris said the club "will not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football".
Club statement in full
The full statement read: "Aston Villa will initiate legal action against Jamie Carragher for his unacceptable insults about the club and its fans.
"Aston Villa will not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football. Nassef Sawiris, Chairman."
Row over Emery comments
The dispute stems from Carragher's comments this week regarding links between Villa manager Unai Emery and the managerial position at Manchester United, where Michael Carrick remains under significant pressure after a dismal start to the season.
"I think Unai Emery is unbelievable with what he does year after year," the Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit said on the latest Stick to Football podcast episode.
"That amount of change, players needing time to settle and he does it year after year.
"But the reason I'm going to go back at Villa fans is I can't believe that a manager who is so successful in the Europa League – take a player, if you'd won the Europa League three or four times surely you'll then want to go for the Champions League.
"Aston Villa will never be Manchester United. I just think he didn't do well at PSG or Arsenal, and maybe that's because of egos in the dressing room and that sort of thing.
"But surely he would want that opportunity to manage a giant again. There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not.
"So Real Madrid will take Manchester United's best player, they did it with Cristiano Ronaldo.
"And there will be teams below Aston Villa, and they'll take their players or manager, so shut the f**k up Aston Villa fans. Aston Villa will never be Manchester United."
Carragher's response
After receiving criticism from Villa supporters on social media, Carragher responded on X: "It was a joke after the stick Villa fans have given me over saying Emery may fancy joining Man Utd!
"I hope these clown clips show me praising Emery/Villa like I have done for years & saying how pleased I was you won [the Europa League final] in Istanbul!"
Carragher has yet to issue a public response to Villa's statement over legal action.
