Tito Vilanova's side were in serious danger of dropping their first points of the campaign when Sevilla went 2-0 up at their Sanchez Pizjuan stadium through Piotr Trochowski and Alvaro Negredo.

Cesc Fabregas started the fightback in the 53rd minute with a fierce left-foot drive and after Gary Medel was dismissed 20 minutes from time the former Arsenal captain levelled at 2-2 when he latched on to a Lionel Messi pass and lifted the ball high into the net in the 89th minute.

The stage was set for Villa, only recently returned from a broken leg, and Spain's record scorer ran through deep into added time and sent a left-foot shot past Andres Palop.

The victory means Barca have equalled their best start to the season of six straight victories, a feat they have achieved four times previously and most recently in 2009-10.

They have 18 points from six matches and will be at least eight ahead of champions Real Madrid when they host their arch rivals next weekend.

After a poor start to the season, Jose Mourinho's Real side are in ninth place on seven points and play at home to promoted Deportivo Coruna on Sunday.