Noted figures, but villainous (4)

I believe the answer is:

evil

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'villainous' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for evil that I've seen before include "Morally reprehensible" , "no good in this puzzle" , "A live sort of badness" , "Great wickedness" , "Excellent" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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