AstonVilla has announced that it will begin legal proceedings against former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, following comments made on the “Stick to Football” podcast that the club considers “unacceptable insults” directed at the entity and its fans.
The club's president, NassefSawiris, explained that the complaint arises from a phrase that Carragher used in the program, urging Villa fans to "shut the fuck up" and stating that the club "will never be Manchester United." Furthermore, the former full-back mentioned that Villa manager UnaiEmery could be interested in signing for United if the opportunity arose.
Sawiris assured that the club will not tolerate comments that could damage its reputation or hinder its rise in English and European football. “AstonVilla will take legal action against Jamie Carragher for his unacceptable insults towards the club and its fans,” the president declared at a press conference.
Carragher, for his part, attempted to calm the controversy by explaining that his comments were made in a joking tone. In a post on social media, the former defender stated: “It was a joke, after all the criticism I have received from AstonVilla fans for saying that Emery might be interested in joining Manchester United.” He added that the clips in which he appears “like a clown” should show that he has praised Emery and the club for years, and that he was proud of AstonVilla's EuropaLeague 2026 victory in Istanbul.
The club has asked the court to convict Carragher of defamation and award him compensation. Meanwhile, the club continues its PremierLeague campaign, looking to consolidate its position in the table and prepare for upcoming international fixtures. Carragher's response and the court decision will await the next legal steps, while AstonVilla maintains its focus on sporting performance and the protection of its image among the fans.