Homes where villains dropped in (6)
I believe the answer is:
villas
'homes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'villains dropped in' is the wordplay.
'dropped' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'villains' with 'in' taken away is 'VILLAS'.
'where' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for villas that I've seen before include "country houses" , "Large houses or holiday homes abroad" .)