Wannabe snake — I speak violently (8)

I believe the answer is:

aspirant

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'wannabe' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'snake i speak violently' is the wordplay.
'snake' becomes 'asp' (asp is a kind of snake).
'speak violently' becomes 'rant' (ranting is a kind of speaking. I am not sure about the 'violently' bit.).
'asp'+'i'+'rant'='ASPIRANT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aspirant that I've seen before include "One with ambition" , "One seeking eg promotion" , "Candidate; one with a desire to succeed" , "His desire could make him" , "Awannabee found in past rain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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