Ex-Aston Villa and England U21 defender Jlloyd Samuel, 37, dies in horror crash…

Former Premier League football star Jlloyd Samuel has died aged 37 in a horror crash which unfolded shortly after he had dropped his children off at school.

The ex-Aston Villa, Bolton and Cardiff defender was involved in the smash moments after dropping his children off at school at around 8am today.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on a country lane in High Legh, Cheshire, after his Range Rover collided with a van.

Samuel lived with his wife Emma and three children – Javarne, Lakyle and Amara – in nearby Lymm.

Former footballer Jlloyd Samuel – pictured with his interior designer wife Emma Pritchard – has died in a car crash which happened shortly after he dropped their children off at school

Samuel, who has three children, had just dropped some of the youngsters off at school

Samuel played Aston Villa, Bolton and Charlton. Internationally, he appeared for England Under 21s before changing allegiances to Trinidad and Tobago

The two-vehicle crash involving a van and Samuel’s Range Rover occurred on West Lane in the village of High Legh shortly before 8am, with Cheshire Police closing the road and asking drivers to avoid the area.

Tragically, nothing could be done to save the former Trinidad and Tobago international, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 54-year-old man, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

A final tweet from Samuel’s official Twitter account showed how the former left back was looking to the future with his family.

He wrote: “Coming soon to Dubai, my wife brand of luxury for baby & child #soproud #wife #dreams #children samuelandowen.’

Top players and Samuel’s former clubs have been paying tribute to him this afternoon

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: ‘Emergency services remain at the scene of a serious collision involving a van and a car in High Legh.

‘At around 7.55am police were called following reports of a collision involving a van and a Range Rover near to Costcutter on West Lane. Sadly the driver of the car, Jlloyd Samuel, 37, from Lymm, died at the scene.

‘His next of kin have been informed and are currently being supported by specially trained officers.

‘The driver of the van, a 54-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and has been taken to hospital for treatment.

‘Road closures remain in place at either end of West Lane, near to the junctions of the A56 and the A50. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.’

Samuel (top row, third from left) played for the famed Senrab alongside John Terry as a child

Samuel played 228 times in the Premier League for Bolton (pictured) and Aston Villa

Tributes poured in from around the game.

A statement by Trinidad and Tobago’s Football Association 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.

‘The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and his former national team-mates at this time extends deepest condolences to his family members both in the UK and here in Trinidad and Tobago.’

Aston Villa, who team are playing in the Championship playoffs this evening, tweeted: ‘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.

‘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 spent over a decade in the top flight but recently was managing non-League Egerton

Bolton Wanderers tweeted: ‘Everybody associated with Bolton Wanderers Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former defender, Jlloyd Samuel.

‘Rest in peace, Jlloyd. Our deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.’

Samuel finished playing top-level football in England back in 2011, moving to Iran, but returned to play non-League in Cheshire as recently as this season.

It is understood he and fellow former professional Nathan Ellington were player-managers at Egerton FC in the 12th tier of English football.