/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59738903/50942973.jpg.0.jpg)
Jlloyd Samuel, who sported the claret and blue of Aston Villa, has passed away at the young age of 37 following a car accident this morning in England.
The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association Facebook page confirmed the news and posted the following statement.
We’ve received some terrible news that former National defender and Ex-Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers player Jlloyd Samuel died in a car crash this morning in England. According to reports, Jlloyd was returning home after dropping his kids off to school and collided with an oncoming vehicle. His vehicle caught fire and his body was discovered burnt. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and his former national teammates at this time extends deepest condolences to his family members both in the UK and here in Trinidad and Tobago
For the 2017/2018 season Samuel was the Player-Manager for non-league Egerton FC playing in the Cheshire Football League Division One.
All our thoughts and prayers go out to JLloyd’s family at this tough time. A great inspiration around our first team and club this season. https://t.co/rWRL1tYdjs
— Egerton FC (@EgertonFC) May 15, 2018
Samuel was brought in from the youth system of Charlton Athletic by then Villa manager John Gregory and made his debut in 1999 in an League Cup match. He became a regular left-back under Graham Taylor and appeared in every Premier League match in both the 02/03 & under David O’Leary in 03/04 seasons. In 2007, he joined Bolton Wanders after only playing in four matches for Villa the previous year.
As an international player — Samuel went through the English youth system but eventually appeared for his birth-nation of Trinidad and Tobago on two occasions in 2009.
Tributes are pouring in and Aston Villa will sport black armbands in tonight’s playoff leg.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our former player Jlloyd Samuel at the age of just 37 in a car accident
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) May 15, 2018
Our players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect tonight and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this very difficult time
#AVFC pic.twitter.com/mlTeIEJm3y
Rest in Peace.