Van Gerwen looks ahead to bumper World Matchplay clash with rival Wright: "Normally when he plays me his bum goes twitchy"

Michael van Gerwen saw off Nathan Aspinall to move into the semi-finals of the World Matchplay despite neither player really being at the races but while he wasn't pleased with his display, he was glad to win ugly.

As well as win a game which by his own admission, he would have lost in the last 18 months when he hasn't been at his best.

"I think Nathan expected to play a little better here and there as well but sometimes you have to win games really ugly and I think this is one of them. I know I've got more in the tank, I missed a lot of doubles, the scoring power wasn't there. Was there drama? Yes a lot but it's part of darts as well," said Van Gerwen post match.

"Last year I would have lost all three of games because it wasn't good enough but I've changed it around a little bit, keep fighting that's really important. I hope I can show it on the stage tomorrow because the people in here and people at home deserve that."

"If I played a game like this last year, I would have lost it. I always want so much and you need sometimes to let it go a little bit and that makes you a stronger player."

Looking ahead to Wright clash

Next up is a bumper clash with Peter Wright and it's one that Van Gerwen is relishing with his main goal now to see off his rival.

"I only got one goal, that's to beat him simple as that. Of course every tournament beforehand, he says I'm going to win this tournament but we all know Peter's like, get on with it. Simple as that."

"It's not really something special me beating him in a tournament, it's something what's normal normally."

He also discussed his comments pre tournament about how he'd win both the World Matchplay and World Championship and how from his point of view, he is scared of him.

"Peter says so much nonsense to be fair every tournament, week after week and we all have to deal with it unfortunately. I need to make sure I do my own thing and play my own game and I know when I play my game, he doesn't have a chance tomorrow night."

"He's playing really good darts but he didn't meet me yet. Normally when he plays me, his bum goes twitchy so I hope I can do that the same."