Jlloyd Samuel: Aston Villa players to wear black armbands against Middlesbrough tonight

Jlloyd Samuel died in a car crash this morning.

The incident was confirmed earlier this afternoon, just hours before Aston Villa’s Championship playoff semi-final with Middlesbrough.

And Villa have confirmed in a statement they will show their respect to their former academy graduate tonight.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.”

Samuel played for Villa for nine years before moving to Bolton in 2007.

He earned two caps for Trinidad and Tobago, having represented England at youth level.

Villa are 1-0 up from the first leg of their Championship playoff with Middlesbrough and host the reverse tie at Villa Park this evening.

The winner of the match will play Fulham in the Championship playoff final on May 26.

A statement on Samuel from the Trinidad and Tobago FA read: “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.”