Nicknamed "el guaje", or "the kid" in his native Asturian, the 28-year-old has netted 38 goals in 58 appearances for the European champions and is fast closing in on Real Madrid striker Raul's scoring record of 44 in 102.
Spanish champions Barca snapped Villa up from Valencia for 40 million euros last month and on Monday he told a news conference at Spain's training base in Potchefstroom that the deal's swift conclusion had allowed him to turn his mind fully to the World Cup.
"It was vital for me (to resolve my future)," Villa said, adding that speculation over a possible move away from Valencia following the end of the 2008/09 campaign had been an unwelcome distraction.
"I am calm, in a way I was not last year, and this time around I'll be making news for what I do in training or in the matches and not for what is happening somewhere else."
Coach Vicente del Bosque has often used Villa in a lone striker role and Torres's knee surgery means more of the goalscoring onus may fall on the Asturian at the finals.
"It would be great to be top scorer here because that would mean a lot of goals for the team," Villa said ahead of Spain's final training session in Potchefstroom before they fly to Durban for Wednesday's Group H opener against Switzerland.
"I have to work for the team but with the quality we have in playing the final ball I could do it."
