In the modern era I think Brian Little could be the benchmark. Won trophies as a player, another as manager and contributed to the re-build after relegation at board level.

I would put him in a class of his own, Legend of Legends. On a slightly more serious note, I've only seen legends queuing for the autograph of one man and that's Peter McParland. I'd say that cements his place. 

1. Winning things.
2. Not buggering off.
3. Exceptional ability.
4. Loving our club.

Three things are central to being a legend and they come before ability: loyalty to the club, determination on the pitch and being associated with an exceptional feat in villa colours.

Peter McParland is a legend on those criteria. Goals that won the FA Cup and, astonishingly, still the last player to score more than 100 goals for the club.

Like most on here I cannot define what single action or collective acts elevates a player from hero to legend.
However I have been fortunate enough to have seen our heroes and legends from the early ‘60’s onwards and for that I am a lucky man.

How many of 81 and 82 team would count? Mortimer and Cowans are shoo ins I would suggest but how many others?

In my era, late 80s onwards we've got McGrath and then I think Taylor must be the closest. Don't think you can count Barry.

The man that scored the winner in Rotterdam. A legend and a lovely bloke when I have met him.

Just a thought, here's the top 20 apps makers. How many aren't legends; Barry, Staunton probably not. Wallace is but wonder how many supporters could identify him from a photo or know about his achivements?
660 - Aitken
531 - Walker
526 - Cowans
475 - Bache
474 - Evans Allan
460 - Spink
451 - Smart
440 - Barry
430 - Dixon
406 - Mortimer
398 - George
392 - Houghton
390 - Dorrell
390 - York Dickie
373 - Hampton
368 - Mort
353 - Cowan Jas
351 - Crowe
350 - Staunton
350 - Wallace