He later became a consular official for Italy, a judge and gold prospector in Alaska, and a representative of the Great Northern Railroad.

[5] While attending law school, and during one year of post-graduate legal studies, he played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1893 to 1896.

[7][10] Despite playing at the tackle position, he was one of the team's most reliable ball carriers and scored two touchdowns against Olivet College on October 17, 1894.

In the 1896 University of Michigan yearbook, team captain Edwin Denby credited Villa for his efforts in a 12–10 victory over Purdue: "It was exhilerating [sic] to note how when Villa took the ball and plunged through the Purdue line as the beautiful lady in the circus jumps through paper hoops, the rest of the Michigan men slouched down the field, crushing and driving everything before them by sheer muscle and determination.

"[14] Despite receiving his law degree in the spring of 1896, Villa undertook post-graduate legal studies and returned to play on the 1896 football team.

"[16] He scored two touchdowns in an early victory over the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago and was credited with brilliant work against Lehigh.

[19] In December 1896, the Detroit Journal published an account of a sleigh accident in which Villa was thrown 33 feet and landed on his head, but suffered no injuries.

The story described Villa as "Ann Arbor's most famous football player" and joked that "it makes one's blood run cold to think what might have happened had he fallen on his feet.

Swaggering down the street in a heavy blue turtleneck varsity sweater of the day, he was held in great awe by the freshmen, of whom I was one, and he returned their timid salutes with his characteristic grin.

[21]Villa returned to Ann Arbor during the 1897 and 1898 football seasons and served as an assistant coach under his former teammate, Gustave Ferbert.

[26] A newspaper story in May 1900 indicated that his former Michigan teammates, Gustave Ferbert and William "High" Allen, were joining Villa in Alaska to prospect in the Nome gold fields.

[34] At the time of the 1920 United States census, Villa was living in Medina, Washington, with his wife Mary and daughter Celine (age 14).

[35] At the time of the 1930 United States census, Villa was still living in Medina, and his employment was listed as a dock master's assistant for the railroad.

[34] In November 1931, Villa was stricken with heart disease and was admitted to the U.S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee.