Nathan Aspinall triumphs in Aberdeen to boost Premier League Play-Off hopes
Nathan Aspinall took a huge step towards securing a place in the Premier League Darts Play-Offs with victory on Night 15 in Aberdeen.
Aspinall came in to the penultimate night of league action one point adrift of Michael van Gerwen in fourth position, but the Stockport star produced a trio of timely wins to triumph at the P&J Live.
The 33-year-old opened up with a crucial 6-3 victory over Van Gerwen in the quarter-finals, before defeating Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey to put himself in pole position to reach The O2 for the first time.
Aspinall now leads Van Gerwen by four points ahead of the final night of league action in Sheffield – where the pair will meet again in the quarter-finals.
The former World Matchplay champion can confirm his qualification with victory over Van Gerwen, while the Dutchman must clinch his first nightly win of the campaign in order to snatch a Play-Off place.
“I felt really confident coming into tonight,” admitted Aspinall. “Last week I should have beaten Luke [Littler], but tonight was a new night.
“I thought I was really composed in that game against Michael, although for me it meant nothing unless I won my next game, and I believe the game against Stephen was the big one.
“It’s in my hands now. The pressure is on Michael next week, but I will prepare like it’s a do-or-die game.
“If I beat Michael, I know I’m through and I’m going to The O2, which has always been a dream of mine.”
Aspinall defied a mid-game fightback from Van Gerwen to prevail in Thursday’s opener, producing a crucial 140 checkout along the way.
This was followed by successive 6-1 routs of Bunting and Dobey, which also draws Aspinall level on points with Gerwyn Price in third spot.
Dobey, meanwhile, performed magnificently to reach his third weekly final of the season, averaging 107 in a 6-2 success over Rob Cross in the quarter-finals.
The Bedlington ace then defied a 101 average and eight 180s from Luke Littler to win through a high-quality semi-final, but his defeat against Aspinall officially ends his play-off challenge.
Despite squandering four match darts in the deciding leg against Dobey, Littler ensured he will top the table for the second year running, courtesy of his thrilling 6-3 win over Luke Humphries.
The pair produced one of the greatest games in Premier League Darts history, with Littler averaging almost 116 to topple the world number one – who hit nine 180s in as many legs.
Meanwhile, Bunting enjoyed a 6-4 win over Price – who conjured up his record-extending fifth Premier League nine-darter in defeat.
Price – who also achieved perfection on Night Ten in Manchester – delivered the goods in the closing stages of the contest to record the fifth perfect leg in this year’s event.
Premier League Darts 2025 Night 15 Results
Thursday May 15
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 3-6 Nathan Aspinall
Gerwyn Price 4-6 Stephen Bunting – *Price hits a nine-darter*
Chris Dobey 6-2 Rob Cross
Luke Littler 6-3 Luke Humphries
Semi-Finals
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Stephen Bunting
Chris Dobey 6-5 Luke Littler
Final
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Chris Dobey
