Littler has burst onto the scene in unprecedented circumstances and has become a regular tournament winner on the PDC tour since reaching the World Darts Championship final in January.
His victory in the Premier League format saw many start to question whether we could be about to see a new era of domination comparable to Phil Taylor‘s success.
But some talented players including Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Aspinall are on his case, and ‘The Asp’ believes his arrival has brought the sport to new heights.
“I wouldn’t say trying to impress, I think they just want to smash him,” Aspinall said to talkSPORT.com
I think he is winning everything so we have to get to his level or it is just going to keep happening.
“I 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, ‘he’s 17 mate, we need to put him back in his place’. I think that’s 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.”