In 1987, Villa was elected to citywide office as President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. He was reelected to that position in 1991. In 1993 he was a candidate for Mayor of St. Louis but finished second in the Democratic primary behind Freeman Bosley Jr.  His term as President of the Board expired in 1995, and Villa did not seek re-election.
In 1987, Villa was elected to serve as President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. He was reelected to that position in 1991. In 1993 he ran for Mayor of St. Louis but came second in the Democratic primary behind Freeman Bosley Jr. His term as President expired in 1995, and Villa did not seek re-election.