The club, in a statement signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris, accused the former Liverpool defender of making unacceptable remarks after he told Villa supporters to shut up during a debate about Unai Emery.

Aston Villa have threatened legal action against former England defender and football pundit Jamie Carragher over comments they described as unacceptable insults against the club and its supporters. 

In a statement posted on social media and signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris, Villa said they would not allow anyone to undermine their progress in English and European football.

The dispute followed remarks Carragher made earlier this week on a podcast, where he suggested that manager Unai Emery could be interested in taking charge of Manchester United.

 With United manager Michael Carrick facing pressure after a poor start to the season, Carragher argued that Emery might welcome the chance to manage another major club.

During the discussion, Carragher said football operated within a hierarchy in which bigger clubs could attract the players and managers of smaller sides. 

He cited Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Manchester United to Real Madrid before telling Villa supporters to shut up and insisting that Aston Villa would never be Manchester United. 

The comments sparked criticism from Villa fans, who viewed them as disrespectful to their club.

Carragher later defended his remarks on social media, describing the comment directed at Villa supporters as a joke in response to the criticism he had received for suggesting Emery might consider joining United. He also insisted that he had praised Emery and Aston Villa for years.

While speaking the 48-year-old described Emery as the best manager in the Premier League and said Manchester United should consider approaching him if they were looking for the best available candidate. 

Carragher stressed that he was not predicting Emery would leave Villa, but arguing that he would at least consider the opportunity if he were in the manager’s position.

He maintained that his comments had been made in jest, but Aston Villa’s threat of legal action signals that the club considers the remarks more serious than a routine exchange between a pundit and football supporters. 

Neither the club’s statement nor Carragher’s subsequent explanation has indicated whether the dispute will proceed to court.