Lots of good advice here, though I am going to disagree with many of the posters and say if you can't combine them, do EAN first.
Here is my reasoning. There is not a whole lot of theory in AOW. Sure, it is a good class for a new diver to take, and you will get a few experience dives under your belt. Navigation is always good to practice, and it may be a good idea to be with an instructor for your first night dive.
But you will learn alot more gas theory in EANx. You will learn alot more about what nitrogen does in your blood and tissues, why it behaves the way it does, and what it can do to you. You will learn more of what you need to know about diving in a nitrox course.
And as far as value of the card itself? A nitrox card will open up different mixes for you to dive, which can reduce your risk of DCS by reducing your exposure to nitrogen. It can allow more bottom time, which as a new diver may not come into play for a while. But this is card you can use.
AOW on the other hand? Not so much, untill you are going for an advanced cert that requires AOW as a prequisite. A log book with some dives over 60 feet will replace an AOW card for most ops that ask for one.
I took AOW first, nitrox came some time later, it wasn't really even a class when I got certified. But if I were to do it today, knowing what I know now, I would do EANx first.