The connection between the AP and the controller is a tunnel. So as long as you can reach the controller from the AP, that may be a routed connection, but it can be in the same VLAN, it will work.
So it will work if you put the AP in the same VLAN on the same switch as the controller.
Please check the VRD from my previous post for details on how to make the AP find the controller (AP discovery) in case the AP and controller are in a different subnet/VLAN. This content is covered extensively in Aruba training, and your partner should be able to advise you on the best design.