'He's helped me out so much behind closed doors': Nathan Aspinall lauds 'GOAT of darts' Michael van Gerwen

The final night from the regular phase of the Premier League Darts is scheduled this Thursday in Sheffield, England. With Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price, three players are currently already sure of a place in the playoffs, which take place in London's 02 Arena. For the fourth and final spot it is still between Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen.

Aspinall and Van Gerwen will meet immediately in the quarter-finals on the final day of play. For Aspinall a win in the match is enough, Van Gerwen on the other hand needs to win the entire match day to still qualify for the playoffs.

'The Asp' not only won on the night against Van Gerwen, he won the entire night. As a result, the 33-year-old Englishman now has 24 points in the standings, which is four more than Van Gerwen. "Michael van Gerwen for me is my idol in darts. He's the goat (Greatest of all Time) of darts," Aspinall said.

Thankful

"If I can qualify for the play-offs by beating Michael back-to-back weeks, that would mean more to me than any other darts player. I don't get any satisfaction from beating Michael, he's done everything there is to do in this sport. I've got so much respect for him, he's helped me out behind closed doors so much more than anyone will ever know. I've got the upmost respect for that man. I don't get satisfaction from knocking him out of it, but I do get pride from beating in my mind the goat of darts."

Van Gerwen, provided he manages to win the final game day, could have a shot at an eighth final victory in Premier League Darts in the playoffs. That would be another extension of the record, which he already holds. Aspinall was a losing finalist once in the past, more specifically in 2020, when he lost 11-8 to Glen Durrant in the final of the playoffs.