He could build a manor (or villa) (5)
I believe the answer is:
roman
'he' is the definition.
'build a manor or villa' is the wordplay.
'manor' anagrams to 'ROMAN'.
However, I'm unsure how the anagram is indicated.
'could' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for roman that I've seen before include "Latin" , "Caesar, for instance" , "Non-italic (type)" , "Citizen of Italian capital" , "eg Nero" .)