FOREST Green Rovers midfielder Isaiah Osbourne is among those to have paid tribute to former Aston Villa star Jlloyd Samuel who died in a car crash aged 37.

The football world reacted with horror and disbelief to the news that the former England under-21 international had been killed in Cheshire after dropping his children off at school.

Aston Villa paid tribute to Samuel, who spent nine years at Villa Park between 1998 and 2007, on Tuesday with a minute's applause before their second leg playoff win over Middlesbrough as the players wore black armbands and fans chanted the defender's name.

Forest Green star Osbourne, aged 30, began his career at Aston Villa, and was a team mate of Samuel between 2006-07.

Posting on Instagram, the midfielder wrote: 'Rest in peace Jlloyd Samuel. I will always remember ya positive energy.'

The post was liked over 220 times and the comments reflected the shock and sadness at the news, with one using the hashtag #holteendersinthesky in reference to the Holte End at Villa Park that Samuel played in front of.

Manchester United and England's Ashley Young, also a former Villa team-mate, tweeted: 'Absolutely gutted to hear the news of the passing of Jlloyd Samuel.

'Took me under his wing when I joined Villa and helped me settle. Such a good guy on and off the pitch and a truly good friend. Condolences to Emma, his kids and the Samuel family. RIP J'

Samuel was born in Trinidad before moving to England where he represented London Schoolboys teams.

He played youth football for Charlton before joining Aston Villa, where he made 199 appearances between 1999 and 2007.

Samuel was capped by England from Under-18 to Under-21 level and was an unused substitute for a senior international against Sweden in 2004.

He attempted to switch international allegiance before Trinidad and Tobago played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Although his application was rejected by FIFA because he was over 21 at the time, he represented Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 and won two caps.

Samuel also played for Bolton and had loan spells at Gillingham and Cardiff before ending his playing career in Iran in 2015.

In a statement, Cheshire Police said Samuel died following a crash involving the 4x4 he was driving and a van at High Legh, near Warrington.

  • Forest Green Rovers have offered Osbourne a new contract at the club and are awaiting his response.