The P&J Live arena in Aberdeen erupted in excitement on Night 15 of the 2025 BetMGM Premier League Darts, as Nathan Aspinall delivered a masterclass to claim victory and edge closer to a coveted play-off spot at London’s O2 Arena on May 29. The evening, charged with drama, also saw teenage sensation Luke Littler secure the top seed for the play-offs, while Gerwyn Price dazzled with a nine-dart finish, only to fall in the quarter-finals. Aspinall’s triumph over Chris Dobey in a 6-1 final rout capped a night of high stakes and electrifying darts, setting the stage for a thrilling finale in Sheffield.
Aspinall, the 33-year-old former World Matchplay champion from Stockport, entered the night trailing Michael van Gerwen by a single point in the race for the fourth and final play-off position. Determined to avoid a third consecutive fifth-place finish, he produced a trio of stellar performances. His campaign began with a 6-3 quarter-final win over seven-time Premier League champion Van Gerwen, where his clinical finishing—averaging 97.20 and nailing a 140 checkout—set the tone. “I was really composed against Michael, and he said my finishing was fantastic,” Aspinall reflected, emphasizing his focus under pressure. He followed with a 6-1 demolition of Stephen Bunting in the semi-finals, showcasing his ability to stay “in the moment” without celebrating prematurely. In the final, Aspinall overwhelmed Dobey, capitalizing on his opponent’s missed doubles to seal the win with a pinpoint double 10, despite a modest 92.77 average. “I felt very confident coming into tonight,” he told reporters. “I bottled it last week, but tonight is a new night.”
Aspinall’s victory earned him five crucial ranking points, propelling him four points clear of Van Gerwen in fourth place. With only one night remaining in Sheffield, Aspinall holds his fate in his hands. A win over Van Gerwen in their next quarter-final clash will secure his play-off berth; otherwise, Van Gerwen must claim the nightly win to overtake him. “After the last two years, all I’ve said to my family is I don’t want to come fifth again,” Aspinall said, his voice tinged with determination. “It’s so hard getting FaceTimes from Van Gerwen saying, ‘Wish you were here, mate.’ I’ve put one foot in the finals tonight.”
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Luke Littler, already a lock for the play-offs alongside Luke Humphries and Price, cemented his status as the top seed with a breathtaking 6-3 quarter-final victory over world No. 1 Humphries. The match, hailed as one of the Premier League’s finest, saw Littler average an astonishing 115.96, hitting five 180s and two ton-plus checkouts, including a majestic 144. Humphries, averaging 110.01 with nine maximums, couldn’t halt Littler’s onslaught. “Are you kidding me? This is an absolute joke,” exclaimed commentator Wayne Mardle, marveling at the duo’s 40 100-plus visits in under 12 minutes. Littler’s run ended in the semi-finals, where Dobey edged him 6-5 in a decider, capitalizing on Littler’s uncharacteristic misses at double. Despite the loss, Littler’s dominance ensures he’ll enter the O2 as the player to beat.
Gerwyn Price, already play-off-bound, stole headlines with his fifth career Premier League nine-darter—the second of the 2025 season—during a 6-4 quarter-final loss to Bunting. The Welshman’s perfect leg, a rare feat, briefly kept him alive at 5-4, but Bunting’s resolve prevailed. “Just when it looked like the game was slipping away, Gerwyn Price finds the perfect leg,” a social media post declared, capturing the electric atmosphere. Bunting, eliminated from play-off contention, later fell to Aspinall, while Dobey’s 6-2 rout of Rob Cross and semi-final win over Littler kept his faint play-off hopes alive, though he’d need a Sheffield victory to sneak in.
The night’s other results saw Cross and Dobey deliver high-octane performances, with Dobey averaging 107.08 and landing five 180s against Cross. However, Aspinall’s composure and finishing prowess stole the show. His journey, marked by resilience after a shaky start to 2025, positions him as a dark horse for the O2, where Littler, Humphries, and Price await. As Sheffield looms, the Premier League’s final night promises more drama, with Van Gerwen fighting to salvage his play-off streak and Aspinall aiming to fulfill his dream. “If I win, I’m going to The O2,” Aspinall said, his eyes fixed on the prize. “It’s in my hands now.”
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