Try to start with your W and max it by level 9 if possible because it will give you stronger heals and more sustain in lane. By level 2 you should get your E to start poking and harassing your opponent, and also keeping your Bloodwell full for the most attack speed bonus. This can typically be maxed last. You should get your Q by level 4 so you can initiate early team fights or escape enemy ganks. Try to land the enemy in the center of the circle for your Q's knock up, allowing you to do more damage in less time with less worry. I try to max this second to have it ready for massive team fight initiations or ganks, as well as escapes over some walls.

I go with attack damage Marks, Attack Speed Glyphs, Armor Seals, and Scaling Attack Damage Quintessences to get the most benefit, damage output and defenses possible, since being Aatrox you'll want to get the attention of the enemy team away from your carry but stay alive long enough with you W's heal for your carry to do the most damage.

I'd usually go with 21 points in Offense, focusing Attack Speed and Physical Damage, and then another 9 in Defense to focus Health and Armor for some extra durability.

Pros: Focused attack speed allows your W to be of more use with more attacks to contribute to either of its effects, being heals for longer fighting potential to extra damage to take out high priority targets quickly.

Cons: This leaves you slightly vulnerable without Bloodwell, especially when opponents can slow your attack speed or disable you. Make sure that the opponents have used these spells on your more durable allies first before you go in for kills, if at all possible.