Nathan Aspinall reveals painful home struggles just moments after setting up a blockbuster Luke Littler clash

NATHAN ASPINALL admits personal problems are still affecting him away from the darts stage. The world No16 brushed aside Joe Cullen 10-5 at the World Matchplay with a superb 105.32 average and a brilliant 167 checkout at the Winter Gardens. Nathan Aspinall has looked to his woes off the oche despite a fantastic performance against Joe Cullen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The star said his performances don’t change other challenges in his life Credit: Shutterstock Editorial But Aspinall, 35, revealed life away from the oche remains difficult and insisted one impressive display does not change what is happening behind the scenes. He said: “I played one great game of darts. I still have problems going on at home with family. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! “That doesn’t change from playing very well for an hour on a Saturday night. “There is still a lot of stuff going on away from darts which I am trying to block out as much as I can. “But listen, it is one game of darts. At the moment, I am very happy with the win and the performance. “I love it when my girls come. I also hate it when my girls come because I don’t want to lose in front of them. “But tonight we have won. I think Millie is very happy we get to go to Pleasure Beach tomorrow. “One performance cannot change everything. Let’s back it up on Tuesday night.” Most read in Sport The Stockport thrower will face world No1 Luke Littler next Credit: Shutterstock Editorial WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS The Asp has carefully managed his schedule this season, playing in just eight Players Championship events and withdrawing from three European Tour tournaments. Aspinall had also failed to reach a televised quarter-final in 2026 before arriving in Blackpool, despite lifting the German Darts Grand Prix earlier in the campaign. But after producing one of his strongest displays of the year, Aspinall is determined to back it up when he returns to the Winter Gardens. The two-time major winner will face defending champion Luke Littler next after the teen sensation averaged a stunning 109.53 in his 10-6 victory over Niko Springer. Aspinall knows he will need another huge performance against the world No.1 but believes the Blackpool crowd could play a huge role. He added: “I played well and I know Luke [Littler] doesn’t really watch the darts. “But his dad Anthony watches everything. He will say Nathan played well tonight and he will know that. “Me and Luke are good mates. He beats me more than I beat him. But I have that crowd behind me. Darts travel offers WE have teamed up with some of the UK’s finest travel firms to come up with these darts packages. Join the party when Luke Littler and co take centre stage. 🎯 NEW YORK DARTS MASTERS — Amazing trip to New York which includes a VIP meet & greet with the stars — BUY HERE 🎯 BETFRED WORLD MATCHPLAY — See the world’s finest players go head to head in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens — BUY HERE * If you click on a link we will earn affiliate revenue. “I don’t care. Luke Littler or whoever you are, that crowd are going to be supporting me. “Hopefully, I can draw off the energy of the crowd on Tuesday and produce something like that. “If I produce something like that, bearing in mind I missed quite a few doubles together in a group. “If that doesn’t happen, I am averaging 109 myself there. As long as I don’t go out and get drunk, I will be ready for him.” Comment now