Aston Villa have announced they will initiate legal action against pundit Jamie Carragher following comments he made about manager Unai Emery, with chairman Nassef Sawiris signing a statement released late on Friday night.
The statement said the club would “not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football” after Carragher suggested Emery should consider taking the Manchester United job.
What Carragher said
Speaking on The Overlap earlier this week, Carragher praised Emery but argued Villa would never match Manchester United's status in football's hierarchy.
“I think Unai Emery is unbelievable with what he does year after year,” Carragher said. “That amount of change, players needing time to settle and he does it year after year.”
“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.”
He added: “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*** up Aston Villa fans. Aston Villa will never be Manchester United.”
Backlash and response
The comments drew a furious response from Villa supporters, prompting Carragher to double down before later expressing regret over his language.
Carragher said telling fans to shut up had been “a joke” after “the stick Villa fans have given me over saying Emery may fancy joining Man Utd”. He added: “I just think Unai Emery is the best manager in the league and if you're Man United you're thinking 'what's the best we can get?'. I'm not saying he'll go - I'm just saying if it was me I'd ask the question.”
Villa's statement
Villa responded on Friday evening with a statement on social media signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris.
“Aston Villa will initiate legal action against Jamie Carragher for his unacceptable insults about the club and its fans,” the statement said. “Aston Villa will not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football. Nassef Sawiris, Chairman.”
What happens next
Villa have made their intentions clear, though it remains uncertain what legal action could be taken against a pundit expressing an opinion. Sawiris has guided the club from the Championship to Europa League victory and regular Champions League participation.
Carragher has not yet commented on the saga on social media. He is due to appear on Sky Sports this weekend, with the broadcaster covering Aston Villa's home game with Fulham on Saturday night.
