NATHAN ASPINALL would NOT go to the FA Cup final with Luke Littler – if he even goes at all.
That’s because he faces close pal Michael Smith tonight in the Premier League Darts with a ticket to Wembley on the line.
Tonight’s clash in Sheffield sees a straight shootout between the Asp, who is fourth in the table on 25 points, and Bully Boy, who is fifth and one point behind.
Whoever wins the quarter-final clash will qualify for next week’s Playoffs at the O2 Arena in London.
The tungsten duo – who last month went with their better halves on a booze-fest party trip to Las Vegas – will put aside their friendship for one evening only.
If Aspinall, 32, makes the Finals on May 23 – the overall winner gets £275,000 – then he will make plans to watch United face Manchester City at Wembley’s FA Cup showdown.
Yet he will not be going to the national stadium with stable mate and fellow United fan Luke Littler – because it would cause him too much headache.
Aspinall explained: “If I’m in the Finals night, I’ll probably go to watch Manchester United – as long as I get some tickets.
“It’s impossible for me to play Thursday night and then the EuroTour in Holland on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then fly to New York for the US Darts Masters.
“In that case, I will pull out of the EuroTour and watch United probably get absolutely battered off City.
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“Would I go to the match with Luke? Absolutely not.
“It’s bad enough going for a Nando’s with him – let alone going where there are 100s of English people, especially all Mancs.
“I’ll literally spend five hours having pictures with him and the fans.”
Aspinall, the reigning World Matchplay champion, lost the 2020 Prem final to Glen Durrant in Coventry but has never played at the O2 Arena.
Though he has had criticism for that jet-setting hols in Sin City – the highlight was a glamorous pool party where DJ David Guetta provided the music – he stands by the decision.
The Stockport thrower, ranked fourth in the world, said: “I’ve had an absolute nightmare over the last two weeks with people criticising our decision.
“But if you find me a week to go on holiday in my calendar, I’ll bite your hand off.
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“I’m not on a salary from the PDC. I can do what I want in my own time. If it all goes t**s up, it’s on my head not the PDC’s.
“Me and Mike had a fantastic four days away. No jetlag. It’s not Australia. I’ll probably do it again next year if I’m in the Premier League. It hasn’t affected anything.
“We went out there for some downtime and it’s ironic it is me and him in the final game. As close we are, we are here to provide for our families.
“Michael wants to beat me, I want to beat him. May the best man win.
“As much as I love Michael to bits, I hope he has an absolute stinker on Thursday night. I hope he plays shocking and I win 6-0.
“When my back is against the wall, when there’s nothing left but the last bit of fight in me, I’ll be there.
“I feel I have the edge over Michael. I really do. It’s squeaky-bum-time for both of us – but hopefully his bum squeaks more than mine!”
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
Check out all of our Luke Littler stories here.
