Venice in two days

Why would you want to stay out of the city? Venice is magical at night, and there aren't that many villages nearby - the plains on the mainland are very urbanized.
Still, if you want more isolation, then perhaps Burano or Torcello (both in the lagoon and not on the mainland) fit the bill?

Totally agree with Balso. Other than Venice proper, Murano and Burano would be our choice.

We love Venice and have stayed there 11 times now, always in Venice proper because of the ambience. I highly encourage you, as the others have done, to stay in the city. However, if you want to be “outside the city” consider this place on Mazzorbo https://www.venissa.it/en/, connected to Venice proper by vaporetto. I fully intend to stay there “next time.”

I too don't see the point of staying outside Venice itself. I was 74 when I visited. The city is full of bridges with steps up and down, I had no problem but someone with mobility limitations might. But that would be just as much a concern on a day trip as staying there. Safety isn't an issue at all. (Pickpockets can be a problem in busy touristed areas, as elsewhere in Europe.)

Mestre is the city nearest Venice, with easy rail and bus connections, but it's by no means a village and has no appeal other than lower-cost lodgings (offset in part by rail or bus fares). The Veneto region has numerous attractions, including cities like Padua, Vicenza and Verona, but the time it would take for each day trip to Venice would considerably shorten day there. Perhaps you could share your reasons for not wanting to sleep in Venice itself so we can be more help to you.

I too would recommend a hotel in the city, but i would highly recommend a hotel that isn’t to far from your place of arrival. Why? Well that city is full of bridges to schlep your luggage over. That may be of less concern if you throw money at it and use either a taxi boat to your hotel or there might be some hotels that offer transportation of luggage for a fee.

Staying is Mestre (or elsewhere) has the disadvantage of making it not easy to go back to your hotel in the middle of the day for a rest. Venice is much nicer early in the day (before 10am, really before 9am) and in the evening. We always get up early and enjoy the main areas early before the crowds, then explore some less touristy areas (not that many of them anymore), then go back to the hotel during the really busy hours. Hard to do that if you aren't staying in Venice proper. I agree that staying near the train station (assuming that's how you'll arrive) is best. The worst part of Venice is that first walk with your luggage as you arrive (although also the first sites are amazing). There are some very quiet, lovely areas within a 5-10 walk of the train/bus arrival areas.

Other than Mestre (definitely not a 'village') there are no "villages nearby with good transportation into Venice center". Cities such as Padua or Treviso are fairly close and on train lines but it will still take you probably an hour from a hotel in those towns into Venice (the train ride from Padua to Venice is half an hour but you need to get to the train, wait, etc.). And they are not "villages".

In terms of safety, I think Venice proper would be the safest.

And since you mention "two days" - that's even more reason to not waste time commuting in.

After a few trips where I stayed in Venice itself, I did a trip where I stayed in Padua for a week, to see other towns in the Veneto. One day I decided since I was so close to do a day trip into Venice. I remember thinking how much LESS I liked it than I had on my previous trips and that if all anyone got to do was a day trip how I could see they might not fall in love with Venice.

As a 60-something who has stayed in Venice at least 6-8 times over the past 20 years.... I find Venice to be extremely "safe" - if by "safe" you mean few pickpockets, robberies, etc. I felt completely at ease walking alone in the evening through the city streets, and I have lived in several US cities (including my current home) where I do not feel particularly safe in that way. Also to echo earlier responders: it would take you well over an hour, each morning, to 1. get to a train from wherever you are staying, 2, take the train into Venice, then 3. take the vaporetto from the train station down toward San Marco or wherever. Do you really want to spend your precious morning hours that way? There are multiple suggestions on this forum of lovely places to stay in Venice. My current fav is Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo, which is only 3 vaporetto stops from the train station, and a very short and easy (no bridges to cross) walk from a vaporetto stop. Staying at a place like this would allow you to enjoy Venice morning, afternoon, and evening, and have a comfortable base for your explorations.

Venice is relatively small. Do not worry about safety unless you stay out in Mestre.

I was 70 when I last was in Venice. No problems. Stay there, not outside

I always stay in Cannaregio, which is more residential, if you are looking for something a little quieter. It is right next to the Jewish Quarter.