Villain dealing with gang (5)
I believe the answer is:
cadre
'gang' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both groups as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'villain dealing with' is the wordplay.
'villain' becomes 'cad' (cad can mean a nasty person).
'dealing with' becomes 're' (regarding).
'cad'+'re'='CADRE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cadre that I've seen before include "Raced around with basic military unit" , "team" , "Inner group of activists in a revolutionary party" , "Group of key people" , "Raced around the framework of a military unit" .)