Belgian striker Christian Benteke had given the home side the lead in the 15th minute with a 23rd goal of the season, but soiled his day when he joined Ramires of Chelsea in seeing red for picking up a second yellow card 10 minutes after the break. Both men went for dangerous play in ill-advised high boot incidents.
Chelsea had been struggling, but seized the day as Lampard equalised on 61 minutes with a fierce hit from the edge of the box from Eden Hazard's pass before slipping the ball into the net two minutes from time to convert Hazard's cutback.
It was Lampard's 202nd and 203rd goal for Chelsea in all competitions 12 years at the club – overtaking Bobby Tambling’s all time record for the club.
Chelsea should have moved 2-1 clear with 18 minutes left as Yacouba Sylla blocked on the line before Ashley Westwood cleared the ball after Demba Ba had flicked on a Gary Cahill effort.
Replays showed that it was over the line while there was also a hint of a handball by Nathan Baker, but the incident happened so quickly that the referee and linesman could hardly be criticised for waving play on.
Chelsea are almost over the line in making sure of Champions League qualification in third place in the table. They are five points clear of Arsenal and six ahead of Spurs with one league game remaining, but they have worries ahead of the Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday night.
John Terry was carted off injured after falling awkwardly in the Villa box. It seemed to be an ankle injury while Hazard pulled up in eight minutes added on for stoppages with a hamstring problem as Chelsea held on with nine men. Both men await the result of scans to determine the extent of the damage.
Chelsea fans spilled onto the pitch to greet Lampard's late winner as the Villa fans looked on in a sort of stunned disbelief.
It was heartening to see the Villa captain Stilian Petrov accept the applause of the home fans after announcing his retirement earlier this week with his leukemia in remission.
But their side are not yet out of the woods in trying to stay afloat in the Premier League despite having 40 points. They must hope Wigan on 35 points lose at Arsenal on Wednesday after they come off today's FA Cup final with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Villa head for Wigan on the final day of the season next Sunday.
There was little doubt that Benteke's red card changed the mood of the match in showing the best and worst of his character.
His finish to accept Sylla's pass and finish at the near post of the goalkeeper Petr Cech from a bounding run was superb.
But he dropped his side in deep trouble after an unnecessary high boot challenge on César Azpilicueta saw him sent off. He was booked for elbowing Azpilicueta earlier in the match.
Ramires walked seconds before the break after he collected a second booking for a late high boot aimed at Gabriel Agbonlahor. He had been booked on 22 minutes for a late challenge on Benteke, who was destined to join him in walking late on.
Elsewhere in an incident-packed afternoon, Villa manager Paul Lambert felt that Terry should have walked for a last-man challenge on Sylla moments before Ramires was sent off, but there looked to be Chelsea defenders in covering positions as Sylla threatened to race in on goal.
Chelsea conclude their season when Everton visit next Sunday.
They will hope to celebrate winning the Europa League and Champions League qualification by that stage in what is likely to be Rafael Benitez's last match as head coach.
Chelsea fans will hope it isn't Lampard last appearance for the club with his thumping finish for the equaliser giving Brad Guzan no chance in the Villa goal before he sped into the opposition box to finish off a delightful winning move by the outgoing European champions.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - Superb goals and real drive from Lampard, who is set to bow out of the club in style this summer.
PLAYER RATINGS
Aston Villa: Guzan 7, Lichaj 6, Vlaar 6, Baker 6, Bennett 6, Westwood 6, Delph 7, Sylla 6, Weimann 7, Agbonlahor 7, Benteke 5
Chelsea: Cech 7, Cole 7, Cahill 6, Terry 5, Azpilicueta 5, Ramires 7, Lampard 8, Moses 6, Mata 7, Hazard 8, Ba 6..subs: Ivanovic 6, David Luiz 6, Torres 6
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