Aston Villa Women have dropped their threat of legal action against pundit Jamie Carragher following his public apology for comments about the club. The club had announced on Friday that it would pursue action over what it called unacceptable insults directed at the club and its supporters on the Stick to Football podcast.

Chairman Nassef Sawiris stated that Carragher had disrespected the club and its fans. In response, the former Liverpool defender posted an apology, saying his language had been clumsy and wrong and that he wanted to apologise to the club, its owners and its supporters. Aston Villa Women confirmed they would not proceed with the legal threat against the 48-year-old but warned they would not tolerate similar negative comments in the future.

Carragher's controversial remarks came during a discussion about managerial positions. He suggested Aston Villa would never be on the same level as Manchester United and told Villa supporters to shut up after they criticised him for proposing Unai Emery might consider the United job. The club deemed these comments, which placed Villa below United in a perceived football hierarchy, as deeply disrespectful.

The off-field dispute comes as the team prepares for a key home fixture against Manchester United this Sunday. Aston Villa Women are currently ninth in the FA Women's Super League with 10 points from eight matches, having recorded two wins and four draws so far. They are on a five-game unbeaten run, a sequence that includes a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend where Chasity Grant scored their goal. This recent form comprises three wins and two draws, a positive streak that started with a 2-1 win over Liverpool on 18 October. The team has scored 10 goals this season but conceded 15, leaving them with a negative five goal difference. They currently sit 12 points behind the league leaders, Chelsea W.

Striker A. Vangsgaard leads the team's scoring charts with three goals this season. Facing the fifth-placed United side provides a direct on-pitch response to the podcast debate. The team then turns its attention to a Champions League clash with Barcelona the following Tuesday. The squad will be aiming to extend their positive form and continue climbing the standings.

Aston Villa Women host Manchester United at Villa Park on Saturday 7 November.

First reported at Daily Mirror Football