Aston Villa have withdrawn their threat of legal action against Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher following his public apology over comments about the club and manager Unai Emery.
Advertisment
The Premier League side had announced on Friday that they were considering legal action over what they described as “unacceptable insults” made by the former Liverpool defender on the Stick to Football podcast.
Advertisment
However, Carragher apologised on Saturday, admitting that his choice of words was wrong and explaining that his remarks were intended as a joke. Villa have now decided not to pursue the matter further.
Advertisment
Carragher apologises over Villa comments
The controversy began after Carragher discussed speculation linking Emery with the Manchester United managerial position.
Advertisment
The pundit suggested that the Spaniard could be interested in managing another major European club, having previously worked at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
He also told Villa supporters to “shut up” in response to criticism of his remarks, while arguing that the club could not compete with Manchester United’s historical standing.
Advertisment
“There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not,” Carragher said.
Advertisment
Advertisment
He added that clubs such as Real Madrid could attract Manchester United’s leading players, just as teams above Villa could recruit their best players or manager.
Advertisment
“Aston Villa will never be Manchester United,” he stated.
Advertisment
Following the backlash, Carragher addressed the comments in a social media post on Saturday.
Advertisment
“I’d like to apologise to Aston Villa, the owners and their fans,” he wrote.
Advertisment
“My language this week was clumsy and wrong.”
Advertisment
He added that the remarks were intended to be tongue-in-cheek but acknowledged that they had not been received that way.
Advertisment
Emery’s achievements at Villa
Advertisment
Emery joined Aston Villa in 2022 and has overseen a significant improvement in the club’s fortunes.
Advertisment
The Spaniard guided Villa from a relegation battle to regular Champions League participation and also led them to Europa League glory in 2026.
Advertisment
