SAD NEWS 
Luke Littler receives brutal savage four-word warning from rival beforeā¦
Darts star Nathan Aspinall has confessed that the sportās top players are all gunning to stop Luke Littlerās meteoric rise.
The teenage sensation burst onto the scene during the recent world championship and was crowned Premier League champion in May. Littler has quickly inserted himself into the battle for dartsā biggest honours, including the World Matchplay, which was won by Aspinall last year and gets underway this weekend.
In an intriguing first-round match-up, Littler will face off against former world champion Michael van Gerwen, while reigning champion Aspinall takes on Luke Woodhouse on the other side of the draw. When asked about Littlerās impact on the sport, the world No. 5 conceded that many top players āwant to smash himā and earn a statement victory over the young star.
āI wouldnāt say trying to impress, I think they just want to smash him,ā Aspinall revealed to talkSPORT. āI think he is winning everything so we have to get to his level or it is just going to keep happening.
āI think it has given us a kick up the backside, it was the same guys all the time and now Luke is winning the Premier League and everything. We are like, āheās 17 mate, we need to put him back in his placeā.
āI think thatās what a lot of the players think. Or at least I know one of them that thinks of that. I think it has helped bring the standard up too.ā
