Aston Villa say they will initiate legal action against former England defender Jamie Carragher over what they describe as "unacceptable insults".

Villa made the announcement in a statement on social media - signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris - in which they accused Carragher of insulting the club and their fans.

The club said they would "not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football".

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast earlier this week, Carragher suggested Villa boss Unai Emery would be interested in becoming Manchester United head coach.

United boss Michael Carrick's position is hanging in the balance after a dismal start to the season.

Referring to former Paris St-Germain and Arsenal boss Emery, Carragher said: "Surely he would want that opportunity to manage a giant again.

"There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not.

"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 [expletive] up Aston Villa fans. Aston Villa will never be Manchester United."

Former Liverpool defender Carragher, who works as a pundit for Sky Sports and American broadcaster CBS, was criticised by Villa fans for his comments.

Responding to that criticism on social media, he said telling them to shut up had been "a joke" after "the stick Villa fans have given me over saying Emery may fancy joining Man Utd".

Carragher, 48, added he had been praising Emergy and Villa "for years".

He expanded on that on the Overlap Daily, saying: "I just think Unai Emery is the best manager in the league and if you're Man Utd you're thinking 'what's the best we can get?'.

"I'm not saying he'll go - I'm just saying if it was me I'd ask the question.

"I think your own ego if someone said 'that's your level' would say 'no I'm not'. That was my point. It's grown arms and legs."

Carragher reiterated his message to Villa fans had been meant "in jest".