Jamie Carragher has apologised to Aston Villa for what he called 'clumsy and wrong' language after the club threatened legal action over his comments. The Sky Sports pundit made the remarks on the Stick to Football podcast, suggesting manager Unai Emery would want to manage a 'giant' club like Manchester United.

Carragher said on the podcast, "Surely he would want that opportunity to manage a giant again." He also told Villa fans to "shut the [expletive] up" during a discussion about the perceived hierarchy in football. The club responded forcefully on Friday, with a statement from chairman Nassef Sawiris confirming they would initiate legal proceedings against Carragher for what they termed 'unacceptable insults'.

Aston Villa's statement, signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris, said the club would not allow anyone to stop their ascension in English and European football. The legal notice was issued directly in response to Carragher's podcast appearance, where he argued there is a "chain in football" and that "Aston Villa will never be Manchester United." The club viewed these comments as a direct slight on their ambition and status.

Carragher posted a public apology on social media platform X on Saturday. "I'd like to apologise to Aston Villa, the owners and their fans," he wrote. He added, "My language this week was clumsy and wrong." The former defender insisted his comments were intended to be "tongue in cheek" and that he had been praising Emery and the club for years, but acknowledged they had not come across that way. The 48-year-old pundit, who also works for CBS in the United States, wished the team good luck in his post.

The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and pride surrounding Aston Villa's current project under Unai Emery. The club is currently competing in the UEFA Champions League and is seen as one of the most ambitious projects in the Premier League under the ownership of Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens. While the men's first team prepares for its next challenge, Aston Villa Women continue their own campaign. They face a tough away fixture against Arsenal Women on Sunday, November 1st. The women's side currently sits 8th in the FA WSL with 9 points from seven games, having recorded two wins, three draws, and two losses. They are unbeaten in their last five matches, with a recent run of three wins and two draws. That sequence includes a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City Women on Wednesday, October 28th, and a 3-2 victory over Everton Women on Sunday, October 25th, where Amalie Vangsgaard scored twice. Vangsgaard is the team's top scorer this season with three goals. The team's next challenge is away to Arsenal Women, who are 6th in the table, on Sunday, November 1st.

First reported at BBC Sport Football

Aston Villa Women extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a 1-1 draw away to Arsenal Women on November 1st. The team, currently 8th in the FA WSL, next face Manchester United Women at home on November 7th. Meanwhile, the men's side drew 1-1 with Fulham on Saturday after Nicolas Jackson's opener was cancelled out by a Zion Suzuki own goal. Chairman Nassef Sawiris's stance was reiterated, with the club stating they feel 'the established order are trying to slow their progress'.

On November 1, Jamie Carragher publicly apologised for his comments. He wrote on social media, "I'd like to apologise to Aston Villa, the owners & their fans. My language this week was clumsy & wrong." The club had previously stated its intent to initiate legal action. Meanwhile, Aston Villa Women extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal Women on November 1. They next face Manchester United Women at home on November 7.