Former Liverpool player turned Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher before the Burnley FC v Liverpool FC English Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley, England, United Kingdom on 14 September 2025 Credit: Ryan Crockett/Every Second Media
Former Liverpool player turned Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher before the Burnley FC v Liverpool FC English Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley, England, United Kingdom on 14 September 2025 Credit: Ryan Crockett/Every Second Media
Jamie Carragher has issued an apology to Aston Villa, their owners and supporters after facing criticism for comments made about the club earlier this week.
The former Liverpool defender made the remarks while appearing on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, where he discussed the hierarchy of football and the position different clubs occupy within the game.
“There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not,” Carragher said.
“So Real Madrid will take Manchester United’s best player, they did it with (Cristiano) Ronaldo. And there will be teams below Aston Villa, and they’ll take their players or manager.”
“So shut the **** up Aston Villa fans. Aston Villa will never be Manchester United.”
His comments prompted a response from Aston Villa, with the club confirming that they intend to take legal action against the Sky Sports pundit.
In an official statement, released in the name of chairman Nassef Sawiris, Aston Villa said: “Aston Villa will initiate legal action against Jamie Carragher for his unacceptable insults about the Club and its fans.”
“Aston Villa will not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football.”
Carragher has now responded to the situation, taking to X to apologise for his choice of words and clarify the intention behind his comments.
The 48-year-old wrote: “I’d like to apologise to Aston Villa, the owners & their fans.”
“My language this week was clumsy & wrong.”
“I can assure Villa fans it was tongue in cheek but I can understand it’s not come across that way, so apologies.”
“Good luck today UTV!”
The apology comes after Villa’s public statement, with Carragher acknowledging that his comments had not been received in the way he intended.
The former defender has now directly addressed the club and its supporters, while Villa have made clear their position through their chairman’s statement.
The club have not yet responded to the apology.
I’d like to apologise to Aston Villa, the owners & their fans.
My language this week was clumsy & wrong.
I can assure Villa fans it was tongue in cheek but I can understand it’s not come across that way, so apologies.
Good luck today UTV!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 31, 2026
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