Aston Villa are preparing to sue Jamie Carragher over comments he made about the club and its supporters.

The row centres on remarks the former Liverpool defender delivered on the Stick to Football podcast, where the prospect of Unai Emery replacing Michael Carrick at Old Trafford was under discussion.

Carragher had suggested Emery should consider taking the Manchester United job, and criticism followed.

His response to Villa fans who criticised him was to tell them to “shut the f*** up”.

The 48-year-old, now a Sky Sports pundit, argued that football operates with a hierarchy, saying “Aston Villa will never be Man United”.

“I’m not trying to annoy Villa fans but there is a chain in football, whether you like it or not,” said Carragher.

“So Real Madrid will take Man United’s best player, they’ll take (Cristiano) Ronaldo. There’s very few above United, the same with Liverpool.

Villa issued their response on Friday evening, posting a statement on X that was signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris.

“Aston Villa will initiate legal action against Jamie Carragher for his unacceptable insults about the club and its fans,” the statement said.

“Aston Villa will not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football. Nassef Sawiris, Chairman.”

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick says challenging conversations and hard truths have been necessary as misfiring Manchester United attempt to end their worst winless run since 2015.

Boos echoed around Old Trafford last Sunday after the Red Devils crumbled in a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth that saw fans focus their fury on the club’s ownership, hierarchy and players.

Carrick avoided such wrath as the United faithful acknowledged that their issues run far deeper than the popular former midfielder despite him overseeing an eighth successive match without a win.

The 45-year-old, to the shock of many onlookers, will have the chance to turn the situation around at Chelsea on Saturday following a week that has required honesty and introspection.

Under-fire head coach Carrick, who claimed he was not surprised to still be in charge and did not need assurances from above, said: “It’s not always rosy and nice conversations between anyone.

“Whether that’s between me and the players, whether that’s between me, Jason (Wilcox, director of football), Omar (Berrada, chief executive) or the owners.

“It’s the truth, it’s the hard truth at times, and it’s what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we’ll do.”

Carrick earned a two-year deal having led United to third last term but there is a sense that he has been given a stay of execution having won just two of 12 matches this season.

Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge is followed by a home Champions League match against Roma on Tuesday before Aston Villa arrive in the Premier League next Sunday.