Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is shocked by the tragic death of Ugo Ehiogu.

Ehiogu died at the age of 44 in the early hours of Friday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest at Tottenham's training centre on Thursday, where he was Spurs' Under-23s coach.

Ehiogu, capped four times by England, made over 200 appearances for Villa between 1991 and 2000 and then spent seven years at Middlesbrough.

He won the League Cup with Villa in 1994 and 1996, and also with Boro in 2004.

Bruce, speaking at the Villa's training ground, said: “Everyone here is devastated by the news, especially of someone so young who very quietly was making his way as a talented coach.

“He was someone I played against in the '94 cup final and he played nearly ten years here before he went to have a great career at Middlesbrough too.

“When you consider he came here under Big Ron for £45,000, what a bargain that is. Being a fellow centre-half, he was uncompromising and quick and all of the football world will be shocked and saddened.

“You think of his family and people around him because at 44 it is shocking and a tragedy that someone has lost their life."