What did Carragher say about Aston Villa? Furious response and what comes next

In one of the most astonishing statements in recent Premier League history, Aston Villa have confirmed they intend to take legal action against pundit Jamie Carragher.

The bombshell announcement was issued late on Friday night after the Sky Sports pundit suggested manager Unai Emery should take the Manchester United job.

That sparked a furious backlash from Villa supporters, with Carragher then doubling down and telling fans to “shut the f*** up” and accept there is a chain in football - and United are above them.

But rather than the argument staying in the wild west of social media, the hierarchy at Villa Park decided to make the feud official. The statement - signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris - and said they would "not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football".

And that resulted in a public apology from Carragher - where he accepted he had used 'clumsy language'.

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"I think Unai Emery is unbelievable with what he does year after year," said Carragher. "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 of 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.

"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*** up Aston Villa fans. Aston Villa will never be Manchester United."

There had been no suggestion that Emery was interested in the job at Old Trafford, but his comments still drew a furious response.

Responding to that criticism Carragher said telling them 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 that "for years" he had been praising Emery and Villa, while going further on The Overlap Daily, 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. I think your own ego if someone said 'that's your level' would say 'no I'm not'. That was my point. It's grown arms and legs."

He has since expressed his regret at using the foul language, but insisted the comments were made in jest.

Villa duly 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.”

On Saturday, just as the Premier League weekend was getting underway, Carragher took to social media to offer an apology.

He said: "I’d like to apologise to Aston Villa, the owners & their fans. My language this week was clumsy & wrong. I can assure Villa fans it was tongue in cheek but I can understand it’s not come across that way, so apologies. Good luck today UTV!"

For now...it's a waiting game. Villa have made their intentions clear, but it would still be pretty stunning if they follow through on their threats and what legal action they can take against a pundit expressing his opinion.

But Sawiris is wildly ambitious, having guided the Villans from the Championship all the way to winning the Europa League and being regulars in the Champions League. Being told to accept their place in the food chain won't have sat well and doesn't match with how those inside the Villa Park corridors of power see their standing in 2026.

Ironically, Sky are covering Villa's home match against Fulham on Saturday night, where those in the stands will make their feelings very clear in front of the watching world.

At boardroom level, whether Carragher's public apology is the end of the matter remains to be seen.