Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler has continued his dream run at the World Darts Championship with a 4-1 victory over five-times world champion Raymond Van Barneveld in the last 16.

Littler, born 21 days after 56-year-old Van Barneveld won his last world title in 2007, hit nine 180s to overpower the veteran Dutchman.

The Englishman became the youngest player to reach the world championship quarter-finals.

"Unbelievable! My average has shown it, my double percentage has shown it — I don't know what to say," Littler told Sky Sports.

"He [Van Barneveld] said 'You can go all the way, I hope you can go all the way'. I said 'thank you' — he's a true gentleman and I respect Raymond."

Littler will play Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan in the last eight.

The teenage sensation has captured the imagination of the darts world in recent days with his run through the world championships. 

He will again give up plenty of experience to Dolan who, like many of Littler's opponents, turned pro before Littler was born. 

Meanwhile, Damon Heta missed a golden opportunity of a New Year's Day date with the great Michael van Gerwen after slumping to defeat in the last 16 at Alexandra Palace.

The Australian hope was left to reflect on what might have been as he missed a host of shots at doubles in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of English showman Scott Williams on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).

World number 10 Heta, having reached this stage for the first time in his quest to become the first individual Australian world darts champion since Tony David in 2002, was warm favourite to take the scalp of the world number 52 Williams.

Reuters/AAP/ABC