The English Premier League, in much of the Old World, is rather like the NFL is in the U.S.

In attracting viewers and attention, it crushes whatever happens to be going on at the same time.

What is curious is how the Premier League has, so far, not really taken full advantage of spreading out its fixtures (schedule) so that it does not compete against itself.

To wit: Tonight’s game between Manchester United and Aston Villa … was the first Friday night game in the history of the league.

One of the great nights for people seeking recreation, and the Premier League had never touched it. Until tonight.

Why should that be?

First thing to keep in mind is how deeply conservative soccer clubs and fans are, and especially in England.

Generations have grown up with the notion that their team will play at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and that’s that. When the league messes with it, fans and the high priests of soccer, the journalists who cover it, get agitated. Thus, four or five games, week after week, will kick off at the same time, and watching them all is not feasible.

We should give the Premier League credit for breaking out of the ancient mold, a bit. Used to be, the whole league might play at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

For years, Saturday has brought an early game and a late game, along with the big number in the middle. (Four, this week, kicked off at 4 on Saturday.)

Sunday games have become routine. At least two. Sometimes three.

The Premier League picked up on the success of Monday Night Football in the U.S., where MNF has been an institution for 45 years, and has squeezed in several Monday night games per season. Five in the first seven weeks.

Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday are usually left open for cup games or international competition, and we can see the sense of that. Plus, the lads need a spot of rest, what?

But Friday? Why not one game on Friday, every week?

Even this one, the first, was something of random event. Manchester United, one of the most popular teams in the world, has to deal with a two-leg qualifying encounter with Club Brugge of Belgium to enter the group phase of the Uefa Champions League. Which is a very big deal, both for Manchester United and the Premier League. Giving United a Friday game would mean three days off before the Tuesday match with Brugge in Manchester. Even “I want my Man-U on Saturdays” crowd probably is OK with that.

Another factor involved in these calculations is similar to the “prep football” argument in the States. That Friday nights should be left alone by the NFL because it is in the league’s long-term interest to have people turn up for these grass-roots high school games.

College football has encroached, occasionally, on Friday nights, but the NFL leave it to the kids.

In England, the lower leagues often play on Friday, secure in knowing they don’t have to compete with the world’s most popular soccer league, the Premier League.

The misnamed “Championship” — the division just below the Premier League — has one game on a Friday each week. Which drives attention to the league that swaps three clubs with the Premier League every year.

So, why no Friday night Premier League matches?

Because the fans like to see their teams play on Saturday. Because nothing changes in English football except very slowly. And because it might hurt the grass-roots level of the game.

May just have to go to a movie.