Luke Littler has advanced to the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship for a second year running as he cruised past Nathan Aspinall 5-2 in their last-eight clash at Alexandra Palace.

The 17-year-old made 15 maximums, taking his tally for the tournament past the half-century mark, and capitalised on Aspinall's inability to finish his own opportunities as he made it look relatively comfortable on Wednesday night.

Aspinall extended the contest by getting it back to 4-2 but Littler closed it out as he looks to cap an outstanding first year on the PDC Tour - in which he was won 10 titles - with his first world crown.

"I'm so glad to win," Littler said on Sky Sports.

"The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it...

"I'm just playing with absolute confidence ... When they're going in I'm playing with freedom, but now I'm looking on to the semi-finals."

Littler will face Stephen Bunting, who saw off Peter Wright 5-2 earlier in the evening to reach the semis for the first time in four years.

Bunting stormed into a 4-0 lead and although the Scot rallied by pulling two sets back, he had left himself too much to do.

"In the back room, I felt real nervous, on edge," Bunting said.

"Peter Wright is a fan favourite and he is my son's favourite player.

"I felt sorry for my son but I knew the crowd was going to turn pivotal in the middle of the game."

Michael van Gerwen will face Chris Dobey in the last four after overcoming Callan Rydz.

The two men traded maximums in an enthralling contest before Van Gerwen capitalised on a Rydz miss to take it 5-3.

World No.43 Rydz had not lost a set at this year's tournament before the quarter-finals - and hit another 17 maximums to take his total for the competition to 43, but he found his match in Van Gerwen.

The Dutchman, seeking a fourth world title, hit 14 maximums of his own to battle through to a ninth career semi-final appearance.

"It's one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I'm over the moon," Van Gerwen said.

"He didn't stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up, I thought I broke him but he never gave up.

"I was getting annoyed at a point! But I did it when I had to and ... we are only in the semis, so it doesn't mean anything yet.

Dobey is into the last four for the first time in his career after rallying from two sets down to beat Gerwyn Price 5-3.