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@esmeralda-gramilton You can tag whoever you like; you probably better know the people here who would be most interested in this question.

I like your answer. And another way to do it is using the MC as an unreliable narrator. If he or she actually does have a really good relationship with the villain, then they’ll be more likely to trust him and trust his reasonings. You can show little hints, like Esmeralda said, with the villain not showing up on time for rescues or doing these little things here or there but the MC is so sure of his friend that the reader is emotionally sure of him while someone looking closely will start to get suspicious.